====== DIPHTHERIA.====== {{anchor:s2}}[Case reported to the Vermont Homoeopathic Medical Society.] {{anchor:s3}}By M. G. Houghton, M.D., St. Johnsbury, VT. {{anchor:s4}}The subject of this case, a girl of ten years, had diphtheria in August, 1864, was treated by a homoeopathic physician, but had not been well up to the time of writing this report, having had repeated attacks of inflammation and swelling of the tonsils, as I was informed. {{anchor:s5}}I was summoned to visit her on the 2d of March, 1865 when I found her with a swelling immediately beneath the angle of the lower jaw, on the right side, about the size of a turkey egg, which I ordered poulticed, and on the 8th lanced the same, when it discharged freely a thick pus, which continued, more or less, for two days, amounting in all to about one-third of a pint. {{anchor:s6}}But that which I had purposed to report more particularly, was a subsequent attack of diphtheria. {{anchor:s7}}I was summoned to see this girl on the 20th of March, 1865. {{anchor:s8}}Has had inflammation and swelling of the tonsils for two days past, with some membranous deposit; tonsils are now exceedingly swollen, with fiery redness about the margin of the membrane - externally on the left side is a swelling as large as a hen's egg; respiration hurried; pulse upwards of 100 per minute. {{anchor:s9}}Gave Mercurius sol200 in powder, to be repeated every two hours. {{anchor:s10}}Visited her again the 21st. {{anchor:s11}}She has had a restless night; has not slept five minutes at a time; constant thirst; difficult and painful deglutition; respiration hurried and very much obstructed; membrane in the throat not materially increased; pulse 120 per minute. {{anchor:s12}}Continue Mercurius sol.200 every two hours. {{anchor:s13}}Visited her again on the morning of the 20th. {{anchor:s14}}The swelling externally has abated, and also somewhat internally; the membrane is being detached, and there is less fiery redness, though deglutition is difficult and respiration laborious; pulse 120 per minute and short hollow sounds of the heart's action. {{anchor:s15}}During the past night, has had violent twitchings of the muscles; incoherent talking; occasional choking when falling asleep; has not slept three minutes at a time. {{anchor:s16}}Continued Mercurius sol200 once in two hours. {{anchor:s17}}Visited her again in the evening of the same day. {{anchor:s18}}The swelling is reduced one-half and the membrane is clearing off; can swallow better, but cannot breathe through either nostril; a discharge from right nostril which is ichorous in appearance and corroding in effect. {{anchor:s19}}Notwithstanding she cannot breathe through the nose, there is a fan-like motion of the nostrils in every act of inspiration, not only observable by myself, but had attracted the attention of the attendants. {{anchor:s20}}This, gentlemen, is a symptom which characterizes a certain remedy, and no other remedy in the Materia Medica has it. {{anchor:s21}}Violent and hurried beating of the heart, and, to cap the climax, she has sinking spells. {{anchor:s22}}Gave Lycopodium200 every two hours. {{anchor:s23}}Morning of the 23d. {{anchor:s24}}Has had hemorrhage from the posterior nares during the past night, though not excessive; no discharge from the right nostril now, but from the left; has not slept during the past night; very restless but no sinking. {{anchor:s25}}Continued Lyc. 200 once in three hours, and sent for counsel. {{anchor:s26}}Visited her again on the evening of the same day. {{anchor:s27}}Feels better; less discharge from the nose, and not so much thirst; pulse 108. {{anchor:s28}}Continued Lycopodium200 once in three hours. {{anchor:s29}}Morning of the 24th. {{anchor:s30}}Has slept some three hours during the past night; breathes better; less thirst and a little appetite; can now force the air through the nose with some exertion; has blown a thick matter from the nose; pulse 108. {{anchor:s31}}Counsel has arrived. {{anchor:s32}}Continued Lyc. 200 once in three hours. {{anchor:s33}}Visited her again on the 25th. {{anchor:s34}}No discharge from the nose; slept four hours the past night; more appetite; pulse 100. {{anchor:s35}}Continued Lycopodium 200 once in four hours. {{anchor:s36}}26th. {{anchor:s37}}Is doing well; slept six hours the past night; good appetite. {{anchor:s38}}Continued Lyc. 200 once in five hours, and I am happy to say, gentleman, the patient made a speedy recovery. ---- ====== DOCUMENT DESCRIPTOR ====== ^ Source: | The American Homoeopathic Review Vol. 06 No. 10, 1866, pages 383-385 | ^ Description: | Diphtheria | ^ Author: | Houghton, M.G. | ^ Year: | 1866 | ^ Editing: | errors only; interlinks; formatting | ^ Attribution: | Legatum Homeopathicum |