Treated Successfully by Arsenicum</span> ¹²

BY DR. F. GABALDA.

(TRANSLATED FROM “LABANDERA DE LA HOMOEOPATICA EN LA HABANA.”)

On the 15th of July, 1856, I was called to visit Mrs. A—–aged 32 years, whom I found suffering with metrorrhagia. The uterine hemorrhage had commenced four months before. A pretty copious leucorrhea, which had existed for some years, the pallor of her countenance, and her chlorotic aspect had caused her attending physician to treat this flow as a hemorrhage, symptomatic of an anaemic condition. Consequently he prescribed the ferruginous compounds, in large doses and for a long period. This treatment, instead of improving, only aggravated the diseased condition of the patient, and the hemorrhages became more profuse and more frequent. Secale Cornutum was afterwards substituted for the iron, but with no better result; on the contrary, every dose of the ergot was followed by hemorrhage, accompanied with the expulsion of large clots. New measures were then adopted. Bladders filled with pounded ice, placed on the abdomen, injections of very cold water, ice placed directly on the neck of the uterus, the tampon, and all the external applications used on like occasions, were fruitlessly tried. The hemorrhage persisted with the same intensity; various other styptics were also employed for three weeks longer, but in vain. At this period I saw Mrs. A. for the first time. In perfect desperation, the physicians who preceded. me, had ordered Mrs. A. to be immersed in a bath of water cold from the well, which had been done for two successive days. After the second bath, repeated faintings set in, followed by convulsions, so alarming as to prevent the repetition of the bathing experiment, which had in no ways checked the hemorrhage. The total inefficacy of the medication thus far employed, and the fear of a fatal result which appeared imminent, caused the husband of the sick lady to call in new counsel.

I found her in a state of extreme debility. Her pulse was filiform and her skin completely blanched, with the appearance of general infiltration, although without much swelling. Her voice was extremely low and weak, and fainting-fits were frequent.

Wishing to ascertain the nature of the evil, I made an examination with the finger, and found the neck of the uterus softened, and its posterior lip covered with growths of a fungous nature. The os was somewhat dilated, and the least pressure upon it caused the expulsion of good-sized clots of blood, which prevented me from making a complete exploration. The knowledge obtained by this examination was not sufficient for a definite diagnosis. Nevertheless, the inequalities and softening of the neck of the uterus made me fear the existence of cancer. I ought to add that the lady felt uterine contractions preceding the expulsion of a clot, but complained of no lancinating pains.

I immediately ordered all the external applications to be discontinued, and prescribed Chamomilla 6. once every four hours. This medicine was continued for six days. Frequent discharges continued during this period, but they were less copious than before my arrival. Then the regular menstrual period came on, which had from the beginning been characterized by a more abundant and dangerous flow. I substituted Kreosote 6. for the Chamomilla. The new hemorrhage lasted only one day and was less copious than former ones. I continued the Kreosote for several days, but with very little improvement. Her prostration was excessive, and her pulse very small and frequent. Every article of food she took, except cold broth, increased the hemorrhage. The neck of the uterus presented the same feel to the finger. I returned to the use of Chamomilla-afterwards I prescribed Ipecac. 6. but without any sensible improvement China, in the same dose was equally inefficient. Under these circumstances I made a careful and thorough study of the case, and decided to administer Arsenicum 12-a dose every four hours. Under this remedy the improvement was rapid. The hemorrhage daily diminished, her general state improved, and her anxiety and sorrow entirely disappeared. Twenty days after her menstrual period the hemorrhage had ceased, and was replaced by a sero-sanguinolent discharge, copious at first, but every day less colored. I continued the use of the Arsenicum, and waited impatiently for the menses. They appeared at the usual time, normal in quantity, lasting only four days. From this time, I considered my patient convalescent. The sero-sanguinolent discharge gradually ceased, and was replaced by a moderate leucorrhea, similar to that which had existed before this illness. Her health was thus perfectly re-established, and she remains well at the present time.