Was there a Direction of Cure? Yes, I would say so, this patient was a fully grown, recently castrated, male cat, probably about 4 or 5 years old. Is he permanently cured? I wouldn't think so, he has a genetic condition that predisposes him to specific problems, but so far, so good.
He was prone to eruptions affecting the unpigmented mucous membranes and skin surrounding his eyes and mouth. A vet examined and diagnosed these eruptions as a typical allergic skin reaction to probably several different environmental agents and possibly strong sunlight. He also exhibited the same marked allergic eruptions soon after consuming either raw or processed chicken, fish and beef. Kangaroo meat was okay. The skin eruptions manifested as raw, denuded, suppurating or ulcerated patches on the unpigmented areas, with inflammation. The conjunctiva were unaffected. The eruptions would form deep crusts, open up when scratched or washed, then bleed again, in continuous cycles. He was quite deliberate in his intention to move in permanently, despite the fact there were already 2 cats in residence, and this has obviously been an added source of anxiety and apprehension (for all).
Not wanting to go down the cortisone route, I used the Pocketbook to repertorize:
1. Sensations in General: Physical irritability too great (hyper-reactive to stimuli, allergies etc).
2. Sensations, Skin, Inflammation of.
3. Sensations, Skin, Tetters, suppuration.
4. Sensations, Skin, Tetters, spreading, corroding.
5. Sensations, Skin, Tetters, itching.
6. Sensations, Skin, Tetters, crusty, scabby.
Concomitants:
7. Mouth, Saliva, increased.
8. Thirst, increased.
9. Mouth, odour, stinking.
There were some modalities that may have suited the case, e.g. he prefered to remain indoors in the cool airconditioning, however this may also have been to instinctively avoid strong sunlight since he still did his regular neighbourhood patrol at night. I also omitted << from food types because it could just as easily be chemical preservatives that were the problem. I included those concomitants because I suspect that since he's been on a "Western" diet
as opposed to living rough, his teeth and breath had worsened, and he dribbled. He would drink frequently from a dish of water, and had a quite warm body temperature. Not wishing to speculate any further meant the case was viewed in a fairly "one-sided" manner.Following Boenninghausen's method, the remedies in characteristic grading showed:
Merc. 40/6
Rhus t. 37/6
Sil. 35/6
Staph. 26/6
Comparison with the MMP showed Mercury to be a suitable prescription:
# 136: Great swelling, redness and constriction of the eyelids, which are very sensitive when touched.
# 94: Moist eruption on the hairy scalp, which eats away the hair as it were, with painful aching, especially on the sore places.
# 987: Intolerable prickling itching on the body, as if a flea bit here and there, [...].
# 988: Severe itching on all parts of the body, so that she must scratch much, [...] at the same time intense redness and heat in the face.
# 1137: Much thirst.
# 1139: Thirst for water [...].
# 1140: Much thirst day and night.
# 351: He ejects much saliva.
# 353: Flow of very acid saliva.
# 1195: In cold and raw air he feels very warm in all parts of the body [...].
# 1249 All day long depression of spirits combined with anxiety; he always thought he was going to hear of something disagreeable.
After the remedy, his skin began to steadily improve and took on a healthier pink appearance (but obviously still unpigmented). He assumed his former robust and domineering demeanour, even sans testicles. This "dreadful" return to the former state
, is described in the footnote to Aphorism 210.Any clarifications needed, let me know...
Chris.