in the interval between the other medicines, for a day, or until the
cough is relieved, or changed to a moist condition.
Inflammation of the Brain.
_Brain Fever._
Though this affection is not strictly what is called "brain fever," it
is attended with more or less general fever, while in what is called
"Brain fever," there is great irritation of the brain, requiring in many
respects similar treatment. As the treatment proper for inflammation of
the brain, with some slight modifications in relation to the existing
fever, will be applicable to both, I shall treat of them under one head.
Some of the principal symptoms are delirium and drowsiness, fullness of
the blood vessels of the head, beating of the temporal arteries, redness
and fullness of the face, the pupils dilated, (though in the very early
stage they may be contracted.) If the membranes of the brain be the seat
of the disease, the pain is more intense, and frequently the limbs are
in a palsied state. The patient sometimes vomits immoderately, and the
pulse is slow and irregular, but full. The breathing becomes stertorous.
The fever is very considerable, and the head hot.
TREATMENT.
_Aconite_, _Belladonna_ and _Bryonia_ should be given in rotation, one
dose every hour in a violent case, lengthening the intervals as the
symptoms abate. Applying _hot cloths_ to the head, removing them
occasionally to let the water evaporate, will greatly palliate and will
not in the least, interrupt the action of the medicines. Never apply
cold to the head of any person, when hot or inflamed, much less to that
of a child. Children are often killed by the application of ice to the
head, producing congestion and paralysis of the brain. Hot applications
are Homoeopathic to the state then existing, and always beneficial.
The feet may also be placed in hot water, but children should never be
put into a hot or warm bath when sick, so as to cover more than the
lower extremities.
Convulsions of Children--Fits.
These generally occur, either from the irritation of worms, or as
precursors of ague, or they may arise from diarrhoeal irritation,
affecting the brain. They sometimes occur in hooping cough.
If convulsions occur from worms, the child appearing to be choked, give
at once some salt and water, and as soon as the first paroxysm is over,
give a dose of _Bell._, and after an hour a dose of _Santonine_. If they
come on at the commencement of an ague chill, give _Aconite_ and _Bell._
every half hour for three or four doses alternately, then leave off the
_Bell._ and give _Baptisia_. If diarrhoea is the cause, give _Bell._
and _Cham omilla_. If from hooping cough, _Bell._ alone should be used.
Measles.
This is a contagious disease, and always begins with symptoms like a
cold, with high fever, and a severe dry cough, thirst and restlessness.
_Pulsatilla_ is the proper medicine to palliate and regulate the
symptoms. If the fever is high, _Aconite_ should be used every two hours
alternately with _Puls._ Should the eruption subside suddenly, give
_Bryonia_ with _Pulsatilla_ until it reappears.
Let the child drink freely of cold water, and avoid stimulants of every
kind. If the eruption is tardy in its appearance, a hot bath may be
administered, being careful to have the room quite warm, and to rub the
patient dry, very suddenly after the bath. Frictions by the healthy hand
over the surface, will do much towards bringing out measles. After the
eruption is out, quiet, freedom from sudden exposure to cold, cold water
and light diet is all that is necessary. In some of the most obstinate
cases, where the eruptions failed to appear in the proper time, as well
as where they had receded too soon, I have been able to bring them out
in a short time with an infusion of Sassafras root, sweetened and taken
quite warm, in doses of half an ounce in fifteen to thirty minutes. It
is a remedy for measles well worth attention.
Mumps.
This is a contagious disease, consisting in an inflammation of the
Parotid gland. There is, at first, a sense of stiffness and soreness on
moving the jaw, soon after the gland begins to swell, and continues to
be sore and painful, with more or less headache, and general fever for
from six to eight days. It is not ordinarily a dangerous disease, unless
translated to some other part. It may remove from the original seat to
the brain, the testicles, or in females to the breasts.
TREATMENT.
_Mercurius_ should be given three times a day during the attack. If the
brain becomes affected, use _Bell._ and _Apis mel._ in alternation.
Should it recede to the testicles, or to the female breasts, _Apis mel._
is _the_ remedy. _Mercurius_ may be used in connection with the _Apis_
as soon as the violent symptoms have subsided, in order to prevent
permanent glandular swellings.
Stings of Insects.
The effect produced by the sting of Bees, Wasps, and Hornets of all
kinds, is so nearly, if not quite identical, that I shall make no
distinction between them. There are very few, if any persons, who do not
know the symptoms, at least the local effects of the Bee sting. Pungent,
stinging, aching pain, redness and swelling of the part. The wound has
at first, and for some time, a white spot or point where the sting
entered, surrounded by an areola of bright scarlet, growing fainter and
paler as it recedes. The swelling is not pointed, but a rounded
elevation, with a feeling of hardness. If upon the face, it not
unfrequently causes the whole face to swell so as to nearly if not
entirely close the eyes. In some instances, the brain becomes affected
and death ensues.
TREATMENT.
I have for many years, used but _one remedy_, and that has in all cases,
and under all circumstances, when applied at any stage of the affection,
produced prompt and perfect relief; therefore I shall recommend no
other. It is the common garden _Onion_, (_Allium cepa_) applied to the
spot where the sting entered. I cut the fresh Onion and apply the raw
surface to the spot, changing it for a fresh piece every ten to fifteen
minutes, until the pain and swelling, and all disagreeable symptoms
disappear. If it is applied immediately after the stinging, the first
application will afford perfect relief in a few minutes, and no further
effect from it will be experienced. Applied later, it must be continued
longer, and this may be done one or two days after the stinging, with
just as much certainty of removing whatever symptoms may still exist.
I treated one case when three days had elapsed, the patient (a young
lady) was delirious and speechless, the whole face was so swollen as to
entirely disfigure her features, raising the cheeks to a level with the
nose, and closing the eyes. Her life was almost despaired of. The
surface of a freshly cut onion was applied to the point where the sting
entered, and changed about once an hour for a fresh piece. In a few
hours consciousness returned, and a rapid recovery followed. All the
swelling and disagreeable symptoms were gone in three days.
_Ledum_ is highly recommended by some Physicians, and is doubtless of
some value, but it is not to be compared with the _Allium_.
The most potent and certain remedy for the poison caused by the
Bite of the Rattlesnake
is _Alcohol_, in the ordinary form, or in common Whisky, Brandy, Rum or
Gin. Let the patient drink it freely, a gill or more at a time, once in
fifteen to twenty minutes, until some symptoms of intoxication are
experienced, then cease using it. The cure will be complete as soon as
enough has been taken to produce even slight symptoms of intoxication.
It is remarkable how much alcohol a patient suffering from the poison
of the Rattlesnake will bear.
An intelligent medical friend of mine in Kanawha County, Virginia, gave
a little girl of ten years, who had been bitten by a Rattlesnake, over
three quarts of good strong Whisky, in less than a day, when but slight
symptoms of intoxication were produced, and that seemed to arise
entirely from the last drink. She recovered from the intoxication in a
few hours, and suffered no more from the poison of the serpent.
Instances of cures with whisky are numerous, and I have never heard of a
failure, when it was used as here directed. I presume it will do the
same for the poison of other serpents.
Headache.
This symptom or affection, (if it can be classed as a disease) may
depend upon so many causes, and be so very different in its effects,
degrees of intensity, and the kind of pain or sensation attending it,
that one will find it very difficult to mark out any definite treatment.
I shall, therefore, only point out some of the more frequent cases, and
the indications for certain remedies.
What is called "_sick headache_," or "nervous headache," begins by a
sense of blindness or blur, before the eyes, of green or purple colors,
dazzling or swimming in the head, without, for some time at first, any
positive aching or pain. In the course of an hour, a longer or shorter
time, the dimness of vision goes off, and the head begins to ache. This
may or may not be accompanied with nausea and vomiting. Some persons are
always more or less sick at the stomach, when these "nervous headaches"
come on, others are not thus affected.
TREATMENT.
If taken as soon as the first blur before the eyes is noticed, or before
any pain is felt in the head, _Nux Vomica_ will, in nearly all cases,
arrest the disease at once. It may be necessary to take two or three
doses at intervals of an hour. Later in the case, though _Nux_ may
palliate, it will not cure.
If headache with sickness comes on, _Macrotin_ and _Podoph._ should be
given in alternation, every half hour, if the symptoms are very severe,
and the nausea great; but in a mild case, give it once an hour,
lengthening the interval as the symptoms abate.
If the feet are cold, as is often the case, putting them into hot water
will palliate the symptoms, and not interfere with the medicines.
If the head feels hot, apply _hot_ water to it. Never apply cold to the
head, when there are any symptoms of congestion, as of fullness of the
blood vessels. For
Common Headache,
If the face is red, and the arteries of the neck and temples throb
violently, give _Bell._ If there is paleness and faintness, _Pulsatilla_
is the remedy, especially if the forehead is principally affected. If
the pain is mostly in the back of the head, _Nux_ is to be used; if in
the front, and is sharp, affecting the eyes, _Aconite_; if at the angles
of the forehead, with a sense of pinching, _Arnica_; if a sense of
fullness and pressing outwards, or with an enlarged feeling, _Macrotin_;
if intermitting or remitting, _Mercurius_; if there is ringing in the
ears, _China_. Headache from fright should have _Aconite_.
For that kind of _headache_ that often occurs during the prevalence of
fevers, and is not unfrequently a premonitory symptom of an attack of
fever, I have found _Baptisia_ and _Podophyllin_ to be specifics. I give
them alternately, every two hours a dose, until the headache ceases. It
often subsides in a few minutes after the first dose of either, though I
have sometimes failed with one alone and succeeded in the same cases
afterwards with both in alternation. _I have no doubt_ but that they act
in many cases, as _Prophylactics_, entirely warding off and preventing
fevers, or at least arresting them at the premonitory stage.
_Podophyllin_ is a most valuable remedy for headache.
Nose Bleed--Epistaxis.
If it arises from fullness of the vessels of the head, with throbbing of
the temples, redness of the face and eyes, _Belladonna_ is the remedy.
If fever is present, _Aconite_ must be alternated with _Bell._
In females or children who have habitual nose-bleed, _Pulsatilla_ and
_Podophyllin_ are to be used alternately, night and morning. During the
paroxysm of bleeding, _Arnica_ should be used, one dose repeated in a
half hour if it continues.
If it is produced by over-exertion, _Rhus_ is the proper remedy. If it
occurs in the _early stage_ of fever, _Aconite_ and _Bell._; in the
latter stage, _Rhus_ and _Phos._ are to be used. _Hamamelis_ will
frequently arrest nose-bleed _immediately_ after one or two doses.
Worms.
It is difficult to determine the presence of _worms_ in children, much
more in adults, yet both are affected by them occasionally. In children,
there is more or less fever and restlessness, screaming out in sleep,
starting, pain in the bowels, vomiting, choking, diarrhoea, picking at
the nose, fetid breath, voracious and variable appetite.
TREATMENT.
_Santonine_ is a remedy which I have used for years, and I have treated
many hundreds of cases, with such unvariable success, that I feel
disinclined to use or to recommend any other. It brings away the worms
entire, and relieves the patient of all morbid symptoms immediately, or
in much less time than any other remedy of which I have any knowledge.
It seems to act specifically upon the worms, causing them to leave the
bowels by being evacuated with the feces, without producing any sensible
impression upon the bowels, the evacuations remaining natural, if they
were so, or becoming so, if deranged, and the worms coming away not
quite lifeless.
I have often prescribed this remedy for children suffering under
intermittent or remitting, and even typhoid fever, in the summer season,
when there were not present any well defined symptoms of worms, and yet
the fever would soon abate, and in due time worms appear in the fecal
evacuations. It often arrests entirely intermittent fever, when worms
are present, and are the probable cause of the fever.
I give either the crude salt in from one-fourth to one-half grain doses,
or a trituration of one grain to four of sugar, giving in the latter
case, from one to two grains of the trituration. Give one dose at
bed-time, or in an urgent case at any other time, but never repeat the
dose under thirty-six hours, and in an ordinary case, under forty-eight
hours.
This is _the_ medicine _par excellence_ for worms. It may be repeated
once a week, when there is a tendency in the patient to the development
of worm symptoms, or, in other words, the breeding of worms. The idea
held out by some that it is hurtful, or unimportant to remove the worms,
in itself considered, is simply _nonsense_, and _worse_, for children
are sometimes sacrificed to this idea.
Earache--Otalgia.
This may arise from various causes, but a common one is sudden cold. If
it arises from cold, and there is general fever, or if the ear is red,
or the side of the head and ear hot, _Bell._ and _Baptisia_ should be
given in alternation, every hour, or in a violent case, more frequently.
These remedies will soon relieve such cases. Cloths wrung out of hot
water should be laid over the ear, or the side of the head steamed, or
it may be laid into water quite warm, with good effect.
Where the disease is a chronic affection, and the patient is subject to
frequent attacks of pain in the ear, especially on a change of the
weather, from dry to moist, _Mercurius_ is the proper remedy, especially
if it is worse at night, when warm in bed.
If it arises from a shock or blow, _Arn_. is to be used. In scrofulous
persons, whether there is ulceration or not, _Phosphorus_ and
_Pulsatilla_ are the remedies.
Children and even adults, not unfrequently suffer from earache, without
any known cause sufficient to account for it. On examination into the
ear you will often find either the cavity filled or nearly so, with a
hard black substance, (the inspissated "earwax") almost as hard as horn,
or else the ear will be quite empty, and the sides of the cavity _dry_
and red, though perhaps not properly in a state of inflammation.
The natural condition of the cavity as it can be seen by straining the
ear outwards and backwards a little in a strong sun light, is moist, the
surface covered slightly with a yellowish, greasy, soft substance (the
cerumen) "earwax." When this is wanting or in excess, or its character
changed, it is evidence of disease, and pain is likely to occur. The
TREATMENT
for this condition is to remove the accumulation when that exists, as
the first step. But this must be first softened by pouring some warm
oil, pure olive oil, or good pure sperm oil, into the ear, and repeat it
two or three times a day for several days, until it is so far softened
as to be easily removed with the probe end of common small tweezers,
having a spoon-bowl point.
When there is dryness, moisten the surface with oil. In either case, it
is best, for a while, to protect the delicate surface from the air, by
putting oiled wool into the external ear.
If the ear was filled, give _Mercurius_ once a day until there appears a
natural secretion. If dry, use _Belladonna_.
Toothache.
It is difficult to determine the cause of toothache, and more difficult
to select the remedy. It often depends upon decay of the tooth, and
exposure of the nerve to air, and contact with food or drinks, or even
saliva, which irritate and produce pain.
_Pulsatilla_ will as often relieve such cases as any other remedy, yet
if it has been aggravated by a recent cold, _Bell._ and _Nux V._ may be
better. If the nerve is not exposed, and there is a disposition to a
return of the pain on exposure to cold air, or a change of weather, the
pain being of a _rheumatic_ character, give _Rhus_ and _Macrotin_ in
alternation. These will relieve many cases. For decayed teeth, the pain
being dull aching, with soreness, use _Chamomilla_. The body of the
tooth, that is the dentine, sometimes becomes very sensitive when there
is no decay or cavity, the pain being experienced when some hard
substance hits, or the air or water, either cold or hot, comes in
contact with the tooth. The temporary pain will generally yield to
_Arnica_, and in most instances, the daily use of _Arnica_ at the first
decimal dilution, applied to the surface, and upon the jaws, will effect
a cure.
The _chloride of Zinc_ applied to the surface of such teeth for a few
moments will destroy the sensitiveness of the dentine.
Teeth that are ulcerated at the roots, or have ulcerated gums around
them, the teeth being decayed, should be extracted at once, for, besides
the pain and inconvenience they cause, they are a _very prolific_ source
of _disturbance_ to the digestive organs, from the positive poison
generated by the decaying process.
If people will use soft brushes upon the teeth with soap and water,
followed by rinsing with simple water only, after each meal, brushing
both inside and out and crossways, so as to clean between them, they
will be saved much pain and decay, and disease of other parts, arising
from foul and diseased teeth.
Teething of Children.
Affections arising from teething of children, are often of a serious
character. The most prominent of which is _Diarrhoea_. _Fever_
frequently accompanies the diarrhoea, and _convulsions_ occasionally
occur. _Aconite_ and _Chamomilla_ should be used in alternation, every
one or two hours, according to the violence of the fever, and if
convulsions occur, or are threatened, as will be known by twitching,
starting, and screaming, use _Nux_ and _Bell_. These may be given in
rotation with the others, following the remedies, one after the other,
every hour. I have relieved the most alarming cases in a day by this
method of procedure, that had not yielded to either of the single
remedies for several days, given as directed in the books; the patient
growing worse continually. If the gums over the teeth look white and the
teeth, (one or more,) are near the surface, the gums should, by all
means, be cut. Press the point of a lancet or penknife down upon the top
of the gum, until the tooth is plainly felt, and be sure to make the cut
as wide as the tooth. Rub the gums with _Arnicated water_ once or twice
a day. _Pulsatilla_ should be given at night and _Chamomilla_ in the
morning, during the whole summer while the child is teething, as a
prophylactic against the fever and diarrhoea that is likely to occur.
It will generally save all trouble.
If the diarrhoea is profuse, watery and light colored or brown, give
_Phos. acid_ and _Veratrum_ alternately, as often as the discharges
occur. For the restlessness of infants at night, _Coffea_ is the
specific.
Apthæ--Thrush.
This is a disease peculiar to nursing children. The mouth becomes sore,
and the tongue, lips, and fauces are covered with a white crust, looking
like milk curds, which, when removed, leaves the surface red, inflamed
and very tender. It sooner or later, extends to the stomach and bowels,
producing severe and dangerous diarrhoea.
TREATMENT.
Of all the medicines known to our Materia Medica, none, according to my
experience, will in the least, compare with the _Eupatorium aromaticum_.
It is almost, if not quite certain to relieve speedily in all cases. I
say this, not only from my own experience and observation, but from the
testimony of several other Homoeopathic Physicians, who have, within
the last year, used it.
It should be given at the first or second dilution, once in four or six
hours, and three or four drops of the tincture put into a teaspoonful of
water, and the mouth occasionally washed with the mixture.
In summer, where agues prevail, and the child is feverish and restless,
_China_ will aid in the cure, to be given once in six hours between the
doses of the _Eupatorium_. If the diarrhoea is obstinate, the
discharges colored, and the child is sick at the stomach, give
_Podophyllin_ with the other remedies.
Inflammation of the Eyes--Ophthalmia.
For common Ophthalmia, in the early stages, while there is more or less
fever and headache, with flushed face, bloodshot eyes and throbbing of
the temporal arteries, _Bell._ and _Aconite_ should be used alternately
every two hours, and a wash made with ten drops of tincture of Aconite
to one gill of pure water, applied to the eyes as hot as the patient can
bear. This application should be repeated every two hours, in a violent
case, until the eyes are easy, and then about twice a day until all
inflammation and redness pass off. This will relieve a large proportion
of cases in from one to four days.
If, however, the case continues obstinate for a longer time, or has been
of a week or more standing before the treatment is commenced, in the
place of Bell., or after using it one or two days, use _Hydrastus_ with
the _Aconite_, giving them alternately at intervals of two to six hours,
according to the stage of the case--more frequently as the symptoms are
more urgent, using washes prepared of each separately, as directed for
Aconite, except that the Hydrastus wash may be twice as strong; and
apply each about half as often as the same medicine is taken internally.
The wash should, in all cases of acute inflammation of the eyes, be as
hot as it can be borne. Let it be put into the eyes so as to come
directly in contact with the inflamed surface.
Simple hot water applied to inflamed eyes for hours together, allowing
short intervals between the applications, will often cure most painful
cases.
_Never apply cold_ to inflamed eyes. It always aggravates. When the
inflammation is in a scrofulous person, especially in infants, it
assumes a purulent character, and may leave the cornea in clouded
(nebulous) condition, and the sight more or less obliterated. For this
condition use _Conium_ first, and apply it _in tinct._, half water, to
the eyes every four hours.
Wounds and Bruises.
On this subject, I must necessarily be very brief. When a wound is
inflicted, the first and most important thing to be done is to _arrest
the flow of blood_. Every one should know how to do this. The bleeding
is to be stopped, and the wounded vessels to be secured, so that no
further flow can take place.