Aph 72 - acute diseases

[homoeopathiccenter]

Speaking of individualistic diseases. One such condition includes injuries- Here is something you need to know about thetreatmemnt of injuries.

Burns: One good local application for simple superficial burns is Urtica-Urens. Cantharis 30 usually stops the pains immediately. Rarely Ars- alb may be needed that is if the pains do not go with cantharis or especially if it seems as if the burn is heading towards gangrene. Carbolic-ac* 30 and Causticum are useful for old burn wounds that refuse to heal. For burns of tongue and lips we use Hamamelis: For diarrohea following burns - Arsenicum Album*; for the burns of radio-therapy- Phosphorous. For burns that seem to be getting infected I have found Vipera quite useful. This remedy is also useful when during healing the granulation tissue becomes very painful. The pains are worse when the part is hanging down.
For burns that affect the eyes such as from a drop of hot oil cantharis is needed. Dr. Hahnemann experimented with many substances for burns. His final conclusion was that simple Alcohol* is the best local application for burns. I have tried alcohol once and the effect was quite good but I somehow prefer good old Urtica Urens in simple burns.
Injuries:
For simple blunt injuries everyone knows Arnica 30 and this is the best remedy in most cases. But if the injury is to a bone then Ruta is much better than Arnica. For extravasations that remain after Arnica, Sul-ac may be given. For discolorations that remain long after injury Ledum. For wounds, lacerations and other such open injuries Calendula Q locally and Calendula in potency internally are extremely effective.
In head injuries again Arnica is very important and is the first remedy. For complaints after head injury such as headaches Arnica may not always be enough (here Nat-s is usually needed sometimes Opium). If after Arnica the patient looks befogged or confused Opium and Helleborous are two options we have. Usually Opium is the first choice if the patient only looks befogged but if on asking question the patient just sits and stares as if he does not understand what you are saying then Helleborous can be thought of. If there are neurological changes after head injury (such as convulsions) then Hypericum or rarely Cicuta* and Nat-s may be needed. If epilepsy follows injury another useful remedy is Cupr-met*. For mental changes, such as confusion, disorientation etc. after head injury there is no medicine like Nat-s. For shock, from concussion to head, leading to faintness – Hyoscyamus*; leading to unconsciousness - Arnica. Concussion of brain with cold skin and body bathed in cold sweat - Sul-ac. For chronic complaints following head injury if we are not sure what to give we can start with Nat-sulph.
Injuries of eyes: For blunt injuries to eyes Symphytum and for a blue eye Ledum. For red eye from insects or foreign particles injuring the eyes Aconite and Euphrasia can be thought of (Of course after the foreign body has first been removed). Dr. Blackie recommends Coccus cacti* for injuries from foreign bodies, I have no personal experience with Coccus cacti in eye affections. If paralysis of upper lid follows injury-Ledum can be given; for loss of vision after injury – Arnica*. Cataract formation following injury may respond to Tellurium*. Detachment of Retina after an injury may need Gels.* or Phosphorous*. Strabismus following injury may need Cicuta*. For inflammation of eyes from burns such as splashes of hot oil- Cantharis. For eye affections following electric shocks Phosphorous is the remedy. For complaints following operations on eyes Alumen or Stront-c* may be needed.
Nose: Epistaxis after injury to the nose may need Acetic-acid*. Arnica and Hamamelis are two remedies usually useful in this condition.
Teeth: For pain after injuries to teeth Arnica and Nux mos*, but for injuries to dental nerves Hypericum can be given. Menyanthes* is also useful for injury to exposed nerves such as when a tooth is broken. For those who have a tendency to easy haemorrhage and need to have a tooth extracted a dose of Millefolium (or Lachesis) before the extraction. If after extraction a person complains that the bleeding does not stop Arnica or Phos can be given.
Ears: For loss of hearing after injury- Arnica and Tellurium. Some recommend Chin-s.* for the same.
Respiration: For dyspnoea after injury, especially injury to spine- Hypericum*. For threatened asphyxia after injuries to chest where there is no bleeding – Arnica* and Hypericum*.
Chest: For injuries to breasts Conium. Indurations following injury may need Bellis -Per, Conium or Arnica*. There are on record cases of cancerous affections after injury to breasts that have been benefited by Hypericum*. Millefolium* and Ruta* are two other remedies useful in injuries to chest. They are specially indicated if a troublesome cough follows such injuries; for haemoptysis following injury- Ferr-phos* and Millefolium*; for cold sensation remaining after an injury to the chest - Ran-B*.
Abdomen: For blunt injuries to deeper organs Bellis- per may be needed. Arnica is of course useful here too.
Female: Metrorrhagia after injuries- Hamamelis; from slight injuries such as lifting overstraining etc. - Cinnamon. Menses appearing immediately after injury may also need Crocus Sativa; the difference here is that the character of the blood in Crocus Sativa is stringy. Complaints following forceps delivery may call for Bellis and All-cepa*. If metrorrhagia or threatened abortion follows any unusual exertion Erigeron can be given.
Male: Swelling of testes after injury- Variol. Hydrocele from the same cause calls for Arnica.
Urinary system: Suppression of urine from injuries to spine: Arnica* and Tarentula*.
Back: For injuries to the spine Hypericum is the first remedy to think of. Injuries to coccyx can be very troublesome at times. If the injury is recent Hypericum should be given. If it is an old injury then any of the following may be indicated- Carbo-an, Silicea, Bellis-per. Kali-bi, Mezerium, Ruta, Xanthoxyllum, Castor Equi and Paris. Zinc* may at times help in these coccygeal injuries. Pains from raising arms to put something up or bring something down will need a dose of Rhus-tox. For backache after a sudden jolt Bellis-per this medicine helps in reducing the pains and healing of compression fractures of spine. For backache from over lifting Bryonia is the first remedy we think of though Nux-vom and Arnica are two other options that may sometimes be needed.
Extremities: For sciatica following injury - Ruta, and sometimes Hypericum may be needed. For felons following injury Ledum* can be used. If a part remains cold after injury again Ledum is the remedy. Old injuries in fingers that continue to pain may need Arnica or Gingko Biloba*. Again injuries that remain for years in different parts may need a cycle of Arnica, Rhus-tox and Calcarea. After each medicine has exhausted its action the next remedy can be given. Chronic sprains of the ankle joint where the swelling does not go away even after remedies like Arnica, Ruta - Stront-carb. For sprains of ankles- Rhus-tox and Ruta. Ulcers in foot from the cutting of shoes are best treated with Paeonia (Borax*, All-c*, Silicea etc).
Other Injuries:
Punctured wounds: For punctured wounds Ledum is usually needed sometimes Hypericum. Again for splinters, foreign bodies etc, these two remedies are useful - of course after removing the foreign body first. But if the part is heading towards suppuration then Silicea needs to be given. For dissecting wounds we have Pyrogen and Ars. Alb.
Bone injuries: For relief of pain to injuries of periosteum Ruta is the best remedy two other useful remedies for this condition are Symphytum and Hecla Lava. In old cases of injury where the pain has persisted for many months Symphytum may be thought of. For bruises of bones, of cartilages, of tendons, of insertion of tendons, bruises about cartilages and about joints- Ruta is the remedy. Symphytum may be needed for bone fractures that refuse to heal. Other remedies for this condition include Calc-p and Ruta, though the best remedy for these conditions is a dose of constitutional remedy. For accidents where the patient is suddenly jolted and grabs for something to stop himself from falling and this is followed by severe pains up and down the back Bellis – per may be thought of.
Open Wounds: For open wounds including lacerations calendula may be applied, in fact there is no local application as effective as calendula in severe open wounds. Calendula may also be given in potency (preferably six) to hasten healing. I remember in the beginning days of my practice a case of injury where the part simply refused to heal. The patient had applied everything he could lay his hands on. Antibiotics had not helped. I also gave one remedy after another and advised him to apply Calendula locally but the wounds simply refused to heal. Finally I decided to try Calendula in potency and the whole thing just disappeared in a very short time. In injuries to areas rich in nerves such as fingers, nail beds etc. local application of Hypericum and Hypericum in potency work better than Calendula.
Bed Sores: For bed sores calendula should be applied. Arnica and Lachesis are two important internal remedies for bed sores. Paeonia is another very useful remedy for this condition. Sulphur* has been highly recommended as a routine remedy for bed sores, I have no personal experience here.
Surgical Wounds: For surgical wounds or wounds from knives Staphysagria is the best remedy. Again for complaints appearing after surgery Staphysagria is our best bet. For injuries from overstretching Staphysagria may again be needed. For other cuts with sharp instruments that are not clean cut Kali-m or Plantago are better than Staph. After surgeries- a state of collapse cold breath, great prostration, coldness, oozing of blood etc. A state of collapse almost as if calling for Carbo-veg. But Carbo-veg will not work here, Strontium-carb* needs to be given. For ailments following operations on eyes Alumen* can be considered. Post-operative intestinal obstruction, distended abdomen- Raphnus.
Insect Bites: For insect bites Ledum is a good remedy. Arnica tincture is usually applied to wasp stings with good results and Urtica Urens tincture to bee stings, Urtica Urens can also be taken internally for bee stings. Dr. Hahnemann considered Sepia* as the best antidote for bee stings. In case there is great swelling after wasp or bee stings Apis and Sepia* are useful.
Skin: For erysipelas after injury: Apis and Ledum - Calendula locally; for gangrene of skin following burns or injuries- Ars Alb. For sepsis following injuries if the parts are inflamed, hot, tender and feel better by cold applications then Ledum can be given, if with the above symptoms there is great oedematous swelling surrounding the inflamed area Apis may be a better choice. With the above symptoms if the parts are exceedingly painful and the pains are better by warm applications Hepar sulph can be given. The before mentioned remedies for the beginning stages, if the patient comes to us when the sepsis is advanced then another set of remedies may be needed. In case where the parts burn and look black and are better by warm applications Arsenic-Alb can be thought of. Where the parts are dark purple, very hot and the pains throbbing in nature and the slightest touch of clothing is unbearable though pressure exerted by the hand may not be so painful Lach can be considered. Where there is a severe stabbing pain and the patient is very distressed and excited moving around from restlessness Tarentula Cubens can be given. For pustule eruptions after a septic infection Calc-s can be considered. If the pustules break open but refuse to heal Kali-s becomes the remedy.
Electric shocks: For complaints following electric shocks Phosphorous is the remedy. Nervous spasms following electric shocks has been cured by others with Morphia*.
Sprains: After a sprain if the part feels bruised Arnica can be thought of. After a dislocation where the part is very painful and the patient cannot find a comfortable place for the affected part and keeps moving it Rhus-tox can be given. In case the dislocation is accompanied by rupture of a muscle then Arnica may not be so useful. The parts will be very painful and even the slightest movement is unbearable here Bryonia takes the place of Arnica. Again Bryonia may be needed in back strains where the patient lifts something heavy and a severe back pain follows (Nux-v). In cases of simple sprain where we can think of no other remedy Ruta can be used in a routine sort of way. If a patient has a tendency to get sprains a dose of constitutional remedy needs to be given Calc-c, Nat-c and Stront-c are three remedies useful in patients who frequently sprain themselves.
I hope I haven't given you all a headache,

Best regards
Elham