[Case reported to the Vermont Homoeopathic Medical Society.]

By M. G. Houghton, M.D., St. Johnsbury, VT.

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.

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.

But that which I had purposed to report more particularly, was a subsequent attack of diphtheria.

I was summoned to see this girl on the 20th of March, 1865. 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. Gave Mercurius sol²⁰⁰ in powder, to be repeated every two hours.

Visited her again the 21st. 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. Continue Mercurius sol.²⁰⁰ every two hours.

Visited her again on the morning of the 20th. 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. 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. Continued Mercurius sol²⁰⁰ once in two hours.

Visited her again in the evening of the same day. 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. 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.

This, gentlemen, is a symptom which characterizes a certain remedy, and no other remedy in the Materia Medica has it.

Violent and hurried beating of the heart, and, to cap the climax, she has sinking spells. Gave Lycopodium²⁰⁰ every two hours.

Morning of the 23d. 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. Continued Lyc. ²⁰⁰ once in three hours, and sent for counsel.

Visited her again on the evening of the same day. Feels better; less discharge from the nose, and not so much thirst; pulse 108. Continued Lycopodium²⁰⁰ once in three hours.

Morning of the 24th. 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. Counsel has arrived. Continued Lyc. ²⁰⁰ once in three hours.

Visited her again on the 25th. No discharge from the nose; slept four hours the past night; more appetite; pulse 100. Continued Lycopodium ²⁰⁰ once in four hours.

26th. Is doing well; slept six hours the past night; good appetite. Continued Lyc. ²⁰⁰ once in five hours, and I am happy to say, gentleman, the patient made a speedy recovery.

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