Transl. by S.W.S. from Rueckerts Klinische Erfahrungen.
BELLADONNA.
Boy of 12, quiet, good natured, brunette, otherwise healthy, following taking cold had his first attack in school; attacks in the beginning occurred once or twice weekly, but have become more frequent, at times up to forty in one hour, usually lasting one or two minutes without any other disturbances. Has been treated allopathically for worms.
Symptoms: Patient gets the spells in any position of body, walking, riding, working etc.; suddenly he becomes stiff as a statue; eyes staring upward with dilated pupils; speaks unconsciously without any emotion. Forehead hot, pale; cold nose, cheeks and hands; pulse fast; superficial breathing. When attacks last longer body becomes waxily pliable. Lately the spells appeared after 8 P.M. uninterruptedly for several hours, more violent, tetanoid backward bending of head. Aside from jerkings his nights are quiet in healthy sleep. His half open eyes look weak, sleepy; tongue and pouting lips are blue.
Belladonna 30c. was given for three days; the next three days Belladonna 15c., the following ten days Belladonna 1c. After the higher potencies the attacks diminished, and ceased after the 1c. potency. (Ehrhart.).
CHAMOMILLA.
Girl of 19 started menstruation at 15 and was perfectly healthy. Following a fright and vexation a convulsion occurred. All allopathic treatments were without results, and her physician diagnosed the case as catalepsy.
Symptoms: Patient lies stiffly stretched out, looks like a corpse; life force seems absent. Eyes closed, pupils widely dilated and clouded; mouth closed, but not tightly. Lips red, as also the slightly coated tongue. Breasts flabby but not withered; nipples and areolae pale red, abdomen soft and slightly cold; extremities freely movable but cold.
Chamomilla tincture, one drop, was given which brought no change in two hours. Then Chamomilla 6c. and after two hours Chamomilla 9c. were given. After 12 hours the carotids were beating visibly but could not be felt, but pulse and heartbeat were not yet discernible. Two hours later there was no change; then one drop of Chamomilla 12c. was chosen. After 15 minutes the carotids could not yet be felt; then the skin became moist with perspiration. Chamomilla 15c. was given. In ten minutes there was cold sweat, sighing, pulse still weak, but a trifle stronger. Patient then claimed there was nothing wrong with her, but she could not see anything. After another dose of Chamomilla she could see and got well. (Hromada.).
NATRUM MURIATICUM.
Woman of 32, delicate, very irritable, had suffered from convulsions and feverish diseases even during childhood, later was chlorotic; when 20 years old she had hysterical convulsions which later turned into cataleptic attacks. The seizures began with severe headache and painful twinges in spine, followed by loss of consciousness. Such attacks occurred once every week. Careful treatment with Ischler sole (brine) improved so that from the fourth week on only three mild attacks occurred, and patient was cured. (Goetz.).
STRAMONIUM.
Woman of 40 has suffered from chronic spasms with vertigo and inclination to fall forward often six to eight times in 24 hours; her mentality was diminished. Has been using Artemisia vulgaris without result. Homoeopathic treatment with Hyoscyamus and Camphora had in three weeks lessened the attacks to a light dizziness without collapsing. Patient had a fall a few days ago with injury to right parietal bone which was followed by cataleptiform conditions.
Symptoms: Patient sits or lies in bed without taking interest in anything, does not show any signs of pain; answers questions with unintelligible, unapplicable sentences, which she often did not complete, usually ending them in the middle. She asks for neither food nor drink, but takes both when offered.
Cheeks very red, head hot, staring eyes blank, but at times she will look upward as in rapture; pays no attention to her surroundings, apparently does not see well; asks suddenly (after my visit), ” Where is my brother with whom I talked?”, (who, however lives far away). Picks on bedspread; moves lips soundlessly as if conversing. Pulse at times fast, and again normal; restless nights; talks louder and often passionately.
Hyoscyamus 9c. was given without result. Two days later she had one dose of Stramonium 12c. followed by a restless night, tries to flee; quieter toward morning, slept then with closed eyes. During forenoon patient was very violent but interested. This second day she did some little housework without change of her condition. After a while an epileptic attack occurred. (Rummel.).
Woman of 23, choleric, strong, has never before been sick; has led an impure life; developed ovaritis; was treated allopathically by application of leeches, vesicants, calomel, arsenic etc.
Symptoms: Daily one or two attacks beginning with headache, stitching pain in forehead, vertigo, heavy head; exhaustion; lies quietly in bed; half closed eyes are staring, look tired; flickering of upper lids. Mouth open. Does not answer questions; temperature normal; pulse full and wavy. Extremities as if lifeless, can be moved by nurse, and remain in new position; eyelids open again when closed by nurse.
Her head remains where we place it. If foot be extended or flexed by me, it remains in same position a few moments and then gradually returns to former position jerkily. In this condition patient remains 2 hour or less, when she breathes with difficulty and violently, moves her head, the eyes again have more luster, patient throws herself around in bed and complains only of weakness. Is much depressed, in despair, can not sleep.
Stramonium 9c., one drop, was given followed by a more quiet night with several hours of sleep. The next evening the usual preliminary headache started, but no attack followed. Pulsatilla regulated her digestion.
Born in Torrington, Litchfield, Connecticut, USA on 20 Oct 1871 to Royal Edmund Hayes and Harriet E Merriman. He had at least 4 sons and 1 daughter with Miriam Martha Phillips. He lived in Torrington, Litchfield, Connecticut, United States in 1880. He died on 20 July 1952, in Waterbury, New Haven, Connecticut, United States, at the age of 80, and was buried in Waterbury, New Haven, Connecticut, United States.