Streptococcus Meningitis – Recovery


Streptococcus Meningitis – Recovery. It is highly desired that someone who has access to homoeopathic literature should compile a list of course of streptococcic meningitis where the homoeopathic remedy has been administered. I suggest that these cases be in two classes: one to contain only those in which the proper laboratory examinations have been made to establish the diagnosis; the other to contain those where the laboratory examinations have not been made, but in which the history and physical examination make it highly probable that the meningitis is streptococcic in etiology.


THE following is submitted as a direct action of a remedy, selected according to the homoeopathic law, on a case ordinarily considered fatal.

Elsworth Nicholaisen, schoolboy, aged thirteen, white, was entered in June Lamb Memorial Hospital, Clinton, Iowa, on March 22, 1935, with the following findings: Past clinical history: There weeks previous he had fallen ill with a rather severe type of influenza prevalent in the home at that time. He developed an otitis media on the third day after the beginning of the illness. Paracentesis was performed by Dr. Warren Foster, early in the case. The patient entered the hospital as soon as meningitis was suspected.

Examination then revealed pupil dilated (the other pupil deformed by a scar from an accident some time previous); neck and back muscles rigid; fever; muscles of alae nasi twitching; crying out, with sense pain in the head; some delirium; vomiting; tendon reflexes approximately normal; cervical glands draining; tonsils palpable; chest, heart, lungs, genitourinary organs, skin, bones, and joints normal. One eye was nearly sightless from an old scar on sclera. Both membranae tympanicae were open from the paracentesis of two weeks previous. White blood count was 20,000; spinal fluid cell count 7,200. Streptococci were found in the final fluid. The laboratory examination was driven by Dr. E.H.Boyer, of Jane Lamb Memorial Hospital.

Treatment.- Morphine 1/8 grain was given as soon as the patient entered the hospital. This one dose of opiate was the only one given during the case. Cold packs were applied to the head. Hellebore niger IX, 10 gtt. every hour, was given.

On March 23 he patient was no worse. March 24 patient appeared slightly better. March 25 the white blood count was 9,400. Each day following there was improvement in the general symptoms. On March 28 hellebore niger IX, 10 gtt. doses, was given every two hours. By April 1 the patients general condition was count on this date was 5,600. Hellebore IX, 10 gtt. was continued at three-hour intervals. The patient said he felt well and wanted to be up and around; however, he was kept in bed for nearly a month longer as a precaution. He is well and completely free of any sequelae.

It is now more than five months since th beginning of his illness. The time since his recovery is sufficient so that one may be certain that there will be no relapse. He is well and completely free of any sequelae.

The only medication used in this cases was hellebore IX and a single preliminary dose of morphine. The only other treatment was ice to the head and rest in bed.

Remarks.- It is highly desired that someone who has access to homoeopathic literature should compile a list of course of streptococcic meningitis where the homoeopathic remedy has been administered. I suggest that these cases be in two classes: one to contain only those in which the proper laboratory examinations have been made to establish the diagnosis; the other to contain those where the laboratory examinations have not been made, but in which the history and physical examination make it highly probable that the meningitis is streptococcic in etiology.

Fred B. Morgan