This paper is written for the purpose of discussing, with this distinguished audience, the most effective treatment for the after effects of tetanus antitoxin injections.
We all know that Variolinum and Thuja, given in high potency, counteract many of the pernicious effects, decades later, of small pox vaccination. We know that the after effects of malaria and quinine, also chronic cases of maltreated malaria, can be neutralized and the patient brought to a healthful state by the use of Natrum mur., Ars., China, Eupatorium, Malarinum, etc.
It is also known that the ill effects left after a maltreated case of whooping cough can be combatted, in many instances, by Pertussin, Ipecac, Carbo veg., etc.; that post- diphtheric conditions brought on after the diphtheric antitoxin can be marvellously managed with Diphtherinum high, Causticum, etc.; that complications or conditions arising after maltreated cases of measles will be helped by Morbillinum; that Influenzinum will also be of great value for the sequelae left after a maltreated case of influenza, be it recent or chronic.
We also known that Vaccininum in homoeopathic preparation, prevents small pox; that homoeopathic Malarinum prevents malaria; that Pertussin, Ipecac or Carbo veg. prevent whooping cough; that Diphtherinum prevents diphtheria when prescribed in a homoeopathic high potency; that Morbillinum prevents meals; that Bell. immunizes against scarlet fever; that Lathyrus sat. prevents polio; that Pilocarpine prevents mumps and that Ledum pal. prevents tetanus; but we know little of how to manage the after effects of a tetanus antitoxin injection. What remedy or remedies will neutralize the ill effects of this tetanus preventative, injections of which are given daily to thousands of patients after a puncture, cut or wound in the skin? In this convention we have many good, experienced homoeopaths who can give us light on this subject, so let us consider a case in point:.
Little Mary Ann. 6 years of age, was brought to me on Jan. 3, 1952. with her left arm paralyzed. She could not raise her arm or make any movements of contraction, extension or rotation although she maintained normal finger movement, but with a weak grip. The entire left arm looked thinner than the right, the muscles were atrophied, especially the deltoid, biceps and triceps; left shoulder was dropped and the scapula prominently wingshaped.
The child was undernourished, pale and weak, under- weight, without appetite, nervous and prone to colds. She gave a history of having been immunized against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus when she was about six months old, and at the age of three she was vaccinated for small pox which gave her a considerable local and general reaction with high temperature for a few days.
Her present condition developed last October when she punctured her left foot with a nail and was taken to her family physician. He gave an antitetanic serum injection in her left arm. Next morning the site of the injection was swollen and painful and she could not use the arm without pain. The local reaction subsided in a few days, but she began gradually to lose strength in her arm until she lost all power of movement. Her physician did all he could for her with massages, physical therapy, electricity, tonics, vitamins, etc., without results, finally referring her to a bone specialist.
The bone specialist could not do anything except to fit her with an expensive metal brace to keep her arm flexed and in a comfortable position so that she might be able to use her hand. This brace was discarded a few weeks later because of no improvement and because it was impractical and uncomfortable. Then she was brought to me, referred by a gentleman sympathetic to homoeopathy.
I had no experience with a case such as this. Obviously the tetanic serum was the cause of the whole condition but all her past innoculations should also be taken into consideration, especially the small pox vaccination which gave her a local and general reaction. There was not a clear indication of any remedy; I did not know what to prescribe. I knew I could help this case, but I needed to consult with some of the older, more experienced homoeopaths, so I thought of writing to Dr. Julia M. Green of Washington, D.C., asking her kind help.
In the meantime I prescribed Ledum pal. 200. because of her foot puncture with the thought that if Ledum is indicated for tetanus, it might also be good to counteract the tetanic serum sequela. Also this remedy, which is closely associated in traumatism with Arnica and Hypericum, is indicated in certain kinds of injuries such as needle punctures. Who knows if the serum injection traumatism did not collaborate in the whole picture?.
I wrote to Dr. Green about this case and she answered immediately stating that she had never met this combination of innoculations. She advised a dose of Variolinum high to clear up the picture which might lead to a definite indication of another remedy, perhaps following with Causticum.
The little patient did not report again until January 29th when there was a definite change in her general condition as well as in the paralyzed arm. She was eating as she never had eaten before for several years back; she had gained four pounds; she was alert, energetic, of good color; and she could raise her arm, with some difficulty of course, to reach her right ear. The parents were very much pleased; she was kept on the same remedy and was seen again on March 11th.
Apparently she was still improving; had gained two more pounds; continued to have a good appetite and could use her arm much better, still with some effort, for almost everything. The improvement has been remarkable. She was kept on the same remedy. She reported again on April 11th. Improvement of the arm had continued but her appetite had failed somewhat and no gain in weight had been made this time. Ledum 200. was prescribed. I saw her on May 27th and improvement still continues.
This case will be under homoeopathic treatment for several more months. We may give, in the future, a dose of Variolinum to counteract the small pox vaccination, which no doubt had much to do with the preparing of the soil for the present condition, but Ledum is bringing this little patient back to her feet, who otherwise would be condemned to be a cripple for her entire life.
DALLAS, TEXAS.
DISCUSSION.
DR. ARTHUR H. GRIMMER [Chicago, Ill.]: I would like to speak on the antidotes to tetanus. I have had a little experience with that.
Years ago I cured a case of tetanus, a very definite case of tetanus, with Magnesium phos. Since then I have cured several others. In my sons experience in the Air Force, after he was given the tetanus, I had given him some remedies to take for antidotes. He didnt react much tote other shots but the tetanus shots pretty damn near floored him. He had fever, severe stiffness of the neck, and he was really pretty anxious.
He called me up before they were going to take him to the hospital. I told him to take Mag. phos. He had a little kit, and he took the 10M., one dose. He told me afterwards that in two hours he relaxed, went right to sleep, and the next morning he was all right. So, I think Mag. phos. might be studied as one of the great remedies for the immediate after effects of the tetanus shots.
DR. ALLAN D. SUTHERLAND [Brattleboro. Vt.]: All I was going to say, which probably isnt important, is that the question of how to treat the after effects of tetanus antitoxin seem to be well answered in this particular case by Dr. Jimenez himself.
Apparently the specific antidote for this particular case of tetanus antitoxin poisoning was Ledum. That doesnt necessarily apply to the next case he sees, which we hope he wont have to see. But it bears out my feeling about antidotes, that the antidote is specifically indicated by the case itself and not by any preconceived idea as to what might antidote or what might not.
DR. WILBUR K. BOND [Greensfork. Ind.]: I sent away and got a tube of this tetanus antitoxin. Had a CM potency made of the whole business and so far I have had very good success.
DR. J.W. WAFFENSMITH [New Haven, Conn.]: As to effects of the injection or the antidote proper?.
DR. BOND: Effects of the injection.
DR. A.W. HOLCOMBE [Kokomo. Ind.]: I would like to confirm Dr. Grimmers remedy. I never had but one case of tetanus, and that was in a horse and Magnesium phos. cleared him up. [Laughter].
CHAIRMAN SPALDING: There certainly was no faith cure there.
DR. SUTHERLAND: Very fortunately for Dr. Holcombe, he doesnt live in Vermont, because a physician is not allowed to practice veterinary medicine. He can do dentistry, pharmacy and even dabble around with medicine but woe betide him if the practices veterinary medicine. So, if you were going to treat a horse for tetanus, you would have to do it in the dark of the night and out of the eye of the law. However, that was a nice thing for the horse!.
DR. T.R. MOORE [Sharon Center. Ohio]: Dont you think suggestion might work in a horse, if a horse had horse sense?.
