CLINICAL CASES


This picture was now compared with the previous one which showed an identical involvement, but her dentist did not believe in focal infection, hence the report of “no trouble” six years before. The process of extraction was a serious one, at first it was only two or three at a sitting. A bad antrum abscess was discovered, after that was drained the pains in her head cleared.


  Read before the annual convention of the International Hahnemannian Association, New York City, June, 1925.

For many years Mrs. H. was a great sufferer from neuralgic pains, especially about the head, < BEFORE A STORM, particularly BEFORE A WINDSTORM, or a SUDDEN COLD CHANGE IN THE WEATHER, in fact her sensitiveness to cold was so intense that she dreaded to have anyone walk past her because of the slight draft produced, and she was accustomed to wear a silk scarf over her head for protection. The pains during the acute attacks were of a screwing character, “screwing up tight,” then a sudden letting go. Sensation of a cake of ice on the vertex was a very constant symptom. There was also very marked < BEFORE A THUNDER STORM, she became aware of the approach of a storm long before the clouds had gathered.

Her sleep was disturbed by enormous accumulations of gas, so that it was impossible for her to lie down for hours on going to bed on account of the oppression, eructations were loud and afforded only temporary relief. A number of remedies were of great benefit, Psorinum, Medorrhinum, Hepar, Rhododendron, Phosphorus seemed almost to bring about a cure, and then after months of freedom from discomfort, the same old symptoms presented. Asaf. acted like magic in the sleeplessness attended with distension and loud eructations, but had to be frequently repeated as the result was only temporary. but the time came when the old remedies did not have the usual effect, and from others, carefully selected, I could not get satisfactory results.

The neuralgic pains were persistent and wearing, Mrs. H. was losing her vigor and reaction, “she was not coming up.” In addition her heart was misbehaving, there were terrifying constrictive chest pains, palpitation. Cactus relieved but did not cure, and as her mother had died of angina pectoris, I was becoming very anxious. Her teeth had been X- rayed six years before, at which time her dentist had reported “no trouble.” As she had twenty-three pivot teeth, I was suspicious, of focal infection so at this time another X-ray was taken which showed all the roots affected.

This picture was now compared with the previous one which showed an identical involvement, but her dentist did not believe in focal infection, hence the report of “no trouble” six years before. The process of extraction was a serious one, at first it was only two or three at a sitting. A bad antrum abscess was discovered, after that was drained the pains in her head cleared.

This abscess was not suspected, as it was absolutely free of local symptoms. An acute arthritis developed in her right hand as a result of a strain. An X-ray showed marked involvement of the terminal phalanges and diminution of bone cells. Calc- carb., which was the apparent similimum, did not relieve until all the teeth were extracted. The improvement was now spectacular. The neuralgias and heart symptoms have not recurred, she sleeps well and is free from digestive disturbances, and her general health is better than it has been in years.

Mrs. B. had recurrent vertigo when first lying down, when turning head quickly, when rising from lying. Various remedies had relieved but only temporarily. This continued over a period of years until a lower molar tooth stirred up local trouble and was extracted. There has been no vertigo since–a period of four years.

Mrs. Y. was subject to recurrent iritis, her vision having been despaired of by a noted specialist, was brought practically up to normal by Psorinum. During acute attacks, which occurred under stress of pregnancy, from fatigue or from cold. Rhus tox, Hepar and Psor. were of benefit. An upper bicuspid tooth which showed slight involvement in the X-ray picture, was extracted. There has been no iritis since–a period of three years.

Margaret Burgess Webster