[DR. AVERSENQ, of Toulouse, a specialist for diseases of the urinary system, delivered in October, 1933, an important address on the treatment of urinary diseases and disorders at the thirty- third French Congress for Urology, which was held in paris. It was entitled “Some Homoeopathic Remedies Useful in the Treatment of Urinary Diseases.” In his address Dr. Aversenq stated that he had become satisfied with his work as a specialist only since he had learned to employ homoeopathic remedies.
Any orthodox physician who conscientiously examines homoeopathy and who experiments with homoeopathic remedies is bound to become a homoeopath, provided he is willing to give to the new art and science of healing the time and study required to master it. No one who has ever tried homoeopathic remedies will go back to orthodox medicine, but the Hahnemannian method of treatment is very, very difficult and requires unending study and thought.
The address was published in the Bulletin Medical, February 3rd 1934, published in paris, Rue Casimir-Delanique and appeared in translation in the Deutsche Zeitschrift Fur Homoeopathic, April 1934. In France homoeopathy is rapidly going ahead and is converting every year hundreds of orthodox doctors. Unfortunately the position is lamentably different in this country. EDITOR, “HEAL THYSELF”.].
NEURALGIAS CAUSED BY INFLAMMATION AND PUS IN THE KIDNEYS AND KIDNEY STONES.
Among the remedies which are apt to relieve pain in the kidneys, radiating towards the bladder, there are three which prove helpful in the majority of cases. They are Berberis vulgaris, Sarsaparilla and Pareira brava. Berberis vulgaris, which is usually prescribed in potencies ranging from the 3rd to the 6th centesimal, acts particularly upon the left kidney. It is useful if there is burning pain in the left kidney region.
In addition it is useful if there are symptoms, such as pain in the lower part of the back, radiating into the legs, pain along the spermatic cord, pain in hips and thighs while urinating, brick red sediment in the urine. We can make use of Berberis in all cases of kidney stone and of infected kidneys, especially if infection is done to the bacillus coli. It should be prescribed either by itself, or in alternation with other remedies, which should be prescribed in accordance with individual conditions.
Sarsaparilla may be prescribed with success in cases of colic of the right kidney with or without bleeding, which affects the bladder as well. This remedy also is usually prescribed in potencies ranging from the 3rd to the 6th centesimal.
Pareira brava, according to my experience, is the best remedy for kidney and bladder colics, particularly if there are urate stones. It is also useful if there is inflammation of kidneys accompanied by pus and suppuration of kidneys. The following indications suggest its use. Pain in the kidneys radiating towards the bladder, great exertion is necessary if the patient wishes to empty his bladder and he often finds it necessary to go down on his knees and to press his head on the ground in order to urinate. This remedy is used in all potencies from the 1st decimal to the 6th centesimal.
Polygonum sagittatum is a fourth remedy which has proved its worth given in the 3rd and 6th centesimal potency.
DIMINISHED URINE
For this condition Cantharis occupies the first place, Apis the second place, and then comes Mercury. These three drugs produce in large quantities severe irritation and inflammation of the urinary passages and the symptoms produced by them are somewhat alike, if only the grossest symptoms are considered. Study of these three remedies shows the necessity of individualizing remedies and individualizing patients and thus obtaining a remedy which is likely to cure.
Cantharis has the characteristic that it produces a violent inflammation of the alimentary canal and of the urinary ducts, bladder and sex organs. It is easy to discriminate between Cantharis and Apis. Cantharis produces great thirst notwithstanding the pain experienced in swallowing, while Apis produce inflammation without thirst.
Besides, Cantharis produces sexual excitement and frequent and long-lasting erections and priapism, symptoms which accompany the trouble produced in kidneys and bladder. Cantharis is usually given in potencies ranging from the 6th to the 30th centesimal potency.
Apis, the poison of the honey bee produces and cure a violent acute inflammation with stabbing, stitching pain reminding one of bee stings and general swelling, oedema, while emission of urine is reduced and the reduced urine is occasionally bloody. Apis has to be considered in cases of inflammation of the kidneys and bladder and is employed in potencies ranging from the 3rd to the 6 th centesimal.
Recently the predominant school of medicine discovered that Mercury salts are powerful medicines producing increased urination. Apparently the fashion of prescribing these salts for diminished urination has already passed. This is not surprising because if the salts of Mercury are given in very large doses, as is usual in orthodox medicine, they do much more harm than good.
In homoeopathy Mercurius corrosivus is of particular value in diminished urination. This powerful caustic burns the mucous membrane and produce ulceration, particularly in the urinary passages and the colon. A characteristic symptom consists in this that colic or cramps in the colon are apt to occur together with colic and cramp in the bladder. The urine, instead of flowing in the normal stream, is emitted drop by drop.
Corrosive Mercury produces and cures conditions ranging from reduced urination to complete stoppage or urination. If given in potencies ranging from the 6th to the 30th centesimal, that medicine stimulates the organism to correct the urinary trouble without the possibility of injury being done by the small quantities given.
SUPPRESSED URINATION
The predominant school of medicine has no rational medicinal treatment for suppressed urination. Homoeopathy has remedies which, if given in large quantities, injure the kidneys and which given in minute doses heal injured kidneys and enable them to function normally once more. I have already dealt with three of the most important remedies for suppressed urination, namely Apis, Cantharis and Mercurius corrosivus. To these may be added Opium, which is very helpful in the 30th centesimal potency. Opium produces a profound congestion of organs. Suppression of urination is frequently due to the kidneys which have become congested. In other cases it is due to the bladder and is to be explained by the fact that the bladder muscles have been poisoned in some way or other. Stoppage of urination is usually accompanied by somnolency verging upon coma. Opium is a remedy which corresponds to uraemia.
One has to discriminate between acute and chronic albuminuria. In the case of acute albuminuria Serum anguillae (eel serum) is effective in many cases. It is given in the 3rd centesimal potency. The remedy is indicated in case of acute inflammation of kidneys produced by chills and colds ad also by other causes which have led to the appearance of albumen in the urine and greatly reduced urination but not to dropsy. If, on the other hand, there is dropsy at the same time, then one must think of the possibility of there being an affection of the heart and Digitalis is suggested. Digitalis is prescribed in potencies ranging from the 1st to the 6th centesimal. Serum anguillae is a very remarkable remedy. It is apt to cause the disappearance of albumen in the urine not only in acute, but also in chronic cases of long standing.
In cases of chronic albuminuria we have to consider not only Serum anguillae, Cantharis, Apis and Mercurius corrosivus, but also other remedies, particularly Arsenicum album, Phosphorus, Natrum muriaticum and Helonias.
Arsenicum album is considered one of the best remedies for chronic Brights disease and is given in potencies ranging from the 6th to the 30th centesimal. The following symptoms suggest the selection of Arsenic: infiltration of the tissues, dropsy, soft doughy swellings, albumen in the urine, pallor of skin, diarrhoea, burning pain and thirst. This remedy may be used in all stages of albuminuria. As a rule it is sufficient to give per day three doses of 5 drops of the 6th centesimal potency.
Phosphorus and Natrum muriaticum are deeply acting constitutional remedies which are apt to lead to the re- constitution of blood and tissues. Both should be given only in high potencies, such as the 30th, 200th and 1,000th centesimal. Phosphorus disintegrates and liquefies the solid constituents of the blood and produces fatty degeneration of the nerves, the bones, the liver and the kidneys. Hence Phosphorus is indicated if the urine carries not only albumen but also blood, if there is bleeding from the bladder or kidneys. Further indications for phosphorus are sensations of burning. It should be thought of when the patient complains that there is burning of the hands, that there are burning sensations within the body, that he is very susceptible to changes of the weather, and that thunder in the air upsets him badly. Phosphorus patients suffer from weakness and from vague fears. As phosphorus acts energetically and deeply it has to be prescribed with caution.
