After a few years of general practice the doctor may realize that there should be an answer to the question, “What can I do when all methods and remedies have failed?”.
I recently heard a young physician saying that “for several years he had had very good success in the treatment of pneumonia, and he thought he was pretty good.” This year he lost several cases of pneumonia following measles and he was very much discouraged. Another doctor discussing neurasthenic cases said, “It matters little what I gave them, the results are the same.” He thought from his experience there was little he could do for them.
Looking back a few years I recall that I also asked the same questions many times. I do not always effect the cure now, but I go forward with much more confidence, knowing there is a solution for most of the difficulties.
Our field sends out many surgeons, doctors and nurses. This of course influences the home folks who are our clientele, with wonderful advice from John, Bill or Mary, who are ambitious to use all the latest methods in surgery, diagnosis, nursing, etc. Infinitesimals are topics quite often discussed. In such a field there are many postoperatives, and a fair share of them are neurasthenics. “Like appreciates like.” The practice of scientific medicines represented by finding the totality of symptoms and being able to apply the remedy is difficult to practise when you are isolated from those who could help solve the difficult problems.
My difficulty has been to combat the use of drugs and cosmetics in general use by the laity, that have an antidotal effect. After several years of prescribing high potencies, I can get better cooperation by telling the patients that I can treat them by any system of medicines, but unless they carry out instructions exactly, they do not get powders.
Several postoperative gall bladder cases with gangrenous complications, having been very much depressed, suffering always with cold damp feet have been greatly benefited by Calc.c.
Facial neuralgias following sinus operations are relieved by Pulsatilla, as well as the weeping and congested full feeling so often complained of.
Nat.mur. has relieved postoperative neurasthenia following thyroidectomy,those who complain of dry mouth and skin, heavy feet, and numb back.
The cases that appears to have hysterical attacks following thyroidectomy with ashen face, pulse slow, choking sensation preceded by violent chill, thinks she must move to keep heart beating, feels neglected, is much relieved by Strych. ars.
When the patient is exhausted after the excitement was over and the neck muscles ache so much that the patient can scarcely hold up her head, she is greatly relieved by Silica.
Some of the postoperatives jump at every little thing and though they always did worry they can find still more to worry about; these are markedly relieved by Ignatia.
The postoperative that knows something surely will happen will forget all about it after Aconite.
A college lad after a severe poisoning by rhus, stopped whistling, was depressed, sleeplessness, with a terrific pruritis aggravated by the heat of the day, so severe that the spent most of his time during the summer months in the cellar. Apis IM. started him whistling again.
A postoperative who cant bear the least pain is relieved by Nux vomica.
Arg. nit. relieves the fellow that is afraid to bed alone for fear he will die, or that the building will fall on him or what he will fall in the river.
Patient X. has had both simple and radical mastoid operations, an appendectomy, removal of fibroid the size of a hen egg from the abdominal wall, is exceedingly self centered, very neurotic, a charity case who constantly lived in a state of fear that she was not receiving due attention, was mean and whining and constantly complaining. She originally started with streptococcic infection of the ear with a purulent discharge which has been constant for several years. Ars. alb. 50M. made a gratifying change. She is able to do a great deal of work about the home and has become an agreeable and appreciative patient.
It is often from the complaints that we lazily all neurasthenia that we can best work out the similimum.
PANDORA, OHIO.
Cracking in the jaws and ears when chewing: Menyanthes.
Crazy: fear of getting crazy: Mancin.
Cri encephalique: apis, Solan. nig.
Crossness in the evening, children, brain affections: Zinc.
Craving for ice-water:Trillium.
Cramp in the tongue with embarrassed speech:Ruta.
Cries as soon as you touch it or even look at it: Ant.cr.
Croup, spasmodic, in nervous children after punishment:.
Mosch.
Consumptive child:Phos., will make our consumptive child more comfortable, and will send him to heaven quicker than any homoeopathic remedy.
Cough: In women, every fit of coughing produces the passage of a few drops of urine: Rumex-followed by copious, loud empty eructations: Sang. No other remedy has this.
Croup : Hepar is worse at night and in the morning. And when Acon. has apparently controlled, but the croup returns the next morning, Hepar comes in. Or if it comes on again the next evening with rattling Hepar will also be suitable. Dry with no rattling is Spongia. If the child wants to be covered or says that it is chilly, Hepar. If it says the room is too warm and kicks the covers off, it needs Calc. sul.
Craving for pork:Crotal. hor.
Cramp in calves and soles; particularly at night; also with looseness of bowels: Sulph-J.D.TYRELL, M.D.
Crushed finger nails grow in splits and like warts, and with horny spots: Ant. cr-J.D. TYRELL, M.D.
