Constitutional symptoms. By W. S. Gee, M. D.

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Constitutional
symptoms.
By W. S. Gee, M. D.
Presented by Sylvain Cazalet

Adjutant
Professor of Materia Medica & Clinical Medicine, Hahnemann College.

Every healthy
individual has certain distinguishing peculiarities which give him an
individuality. While in general contour he is similar to other members
of his race, he has in addition some exceptional points or traits which
show an unmistakable difference between him and his fellowmen. These
peculiarities in health, he retains when he is sick. In whatever
sickness he may be, a few of his peculiarities will be present. These we
may call constitutional symptoms. These symptoms serve us to more
readily detect disease in the variation from the healthy standard of
that individual.

S. Hahnemann

When Hahnemann declared
to the world the result of his most profound study of disease and
especially of chronic disease, we learned that in the constitution of
most individuals existed one or more underlying influences which he
termed “miasms.” These miasms existed in some degree without
causing decided interference with health except when aided by
exceptional conditions such as the presence of acute disease, change of
life, etc. This is true today, that is to say, the constitutional miasm
may be latent or active. It remains latent when no symptoms are present
which mark a deviation from health. This is seen in growing children and
even in adults so long as the vital presence of acute disease, known by
making simple diseases unusually severe and prolonged ; or, as at
the decline of life when the vitality of the individual diminishes, we
have tumors, malignant growths, etc. It is also seen in the increasing
severity of recurrent attacks of disease. After Hahnemann had recognized
the facts, his next work was to make available remedies which would cure
these difficulties. As a result of his work we have the deep and long
acting antipsorics.

We are directed to give
that remedy preference which best corresponds to the present symptoms.
This is a ‘safe rule’, but there are many cases which do not present
plain indications and the remedy is not apparent. For these cases we
deduce this rule :

When the present
symptoms do not, with a reasonable degree of certainty, indicate a
remedy, search for preexisting constitutional symptoms.

Dr Carroll Dunham

Carroll Dunham wrote,
in illustration, that two lines each an inch long might appear parallel,
but the fact was not so apparent as when the lines were extended. So in
the selection of the remedy the “extended lines” into the
history of the patient often decides the choice of the simillimum.

He has given us a few
instance of the value of drawing long lines and prescribing for
pre-existing symptoms.

On pages 462 to 464 of
“Science of Therapeutics” we may find a careful record of a
case, of Nervous Deafness” of 13 years standing cured with Mezereum
given because it covered the totality of the symptoms when the patient
had milkcrust -the suppression of which was immediately followed by the
deafness. The most careful examination of the case revealed no present
symptoms except a Membrane tympani white, opaque, and evidently
thickened.” On page 56, of Part II, “Lectures of Materia
Medica” by the same author, is a record of a case of headache in
winter cured by Aloes, given because the attacks of summer diarrhœa
indicated that remedy.

A case of epilepsy was
given Platina because of previous
strong passion and peculiar disposition, imperious and high stepping.

A case of uterine
disease was cured with Agaricus
given because of aching in the heels and marked family tendency to
spinal meningitis.

These cases illustrate
the value of drawing long lines when present symptoms do not make the
remedy apparent.

CASE I :

Mr. G. C. H—., æt.
50, applied for the cure of nasal catarrh. He presented no marked
symptoms upon which to select a remedy and a careful history revealed
the fact that he had taken a cold bath 36 years ago, and his trouble
dates from that time. The cause of the disease suggesting Rhus
tox. Cm. and later one dose of 30, a farther study confirmed
the selection and he received the remedy with decided relief within
three days. He took cold twice during the time of treatment and needed
more of the remedy. For later symptoms of an acute character he received
Sticta pulm. 4x, and is today tree
from the disease. This he has not been able to say in 36 years. He
received his first prescription in August last.

CASE II :

Mr. Me—., æt. 25,
consulted me for an attack of diarrhœa. He had received treatment from
several physicians without benefit. His present symptoms were not
sufficient to make clear the remedy, but his history aided with these
facts did : Four years ago he lifted paper in a printing office and
vomited blood afterwards. Since that time he has been troubled with a
weak, “all-gone” feeling in the region of the stomach,
especially about 11 A. M., relieved by eating. He has had recurrent
attacks of diarrhœa which came on after midnight with urging. Stools
loose and yellow, with burning in anus after stool. He received Sulphur
1m. and was cured in a few days.

CASE III :

Mr. B—., æt. 25,
complained of a pain in his knee. No distinguishing features being
present an appeal was made to the “anamnesis” or previous
history. He had suffered one whole year from rheumatism some years
before and was unable to leave the house. The features of the attack
pointed to Rhus tox. and that remedy in the 1m potency, cured his knee.

CASE IV :

Miss L—., complains
of sore throat with no deciding symptoms. Her history reads : Has
had an attack of “quinsy” every year, for several years. The
disease always began on the left side. The throat was sensitive to touch
on the outside, with sensation as of a lamp internally, which went down
on swallowing but immediately returned. She received Lach.
cm, one dose. The attack disappeared without suppuration and she has
again past the season without the yearly return of the trouble.

CASE V :

Mrs. A—., æt. 36,
applied for relief from nasal catarrh. There being no decided symptoms
for a remedy, her history was carefully recorded. She has been sick
since 15 years old. Had recurrent headaches. Headache, relieved by the
flow. Had cramps before the flow and is relieved when the flow begins.
Troubles left-sided. Catarrh in left half of the nose, sore throat on
left side, must have clothing loose on left side of body. Constipation
with inability to have a movement, because the anus seems to be closed
and she has not power to expel the stool. She received Lach.
cm, one dose. She reported last Saturday, Nov. 6, by request, not having
reported since receiving the medicine on Sept. 9. The relief was almost
immediate.

CASE VI :

—. is a man aged 63.
He was a sorry spectacle when he presented on Sept. 9. His present
symptoms pointed more toward Lycopodium.
but he had received that remedy without benefit. The history dated the
trouble to have originated 24 years ago in exposure to dampness. Rhus
tox 1m, one dose was given to him, as present symptoms
confirmed the selection and he is slowly improving. He is now in Dr.
Hawke’s clinic.

CASE VII :

Marion H—., a little
girl of five years, was taken seriously ill with remittent fever. The
temperature ranged from 103 to 104 and above for several days. The best
selected remedies did not seem to act. The history was more carefully
examined. When a baby she perspired very much about her head. Was
troubled with cold damp feet. Stomach and bowels were easily disturbed.
She was slow getting her teeth and in learning to walk. With this help Calcarea
ost. 1m. was selected and a great change was soon apparent
and recovery was rapid.

CASE VII :

Willie E. —., æt. 7
years, was taken sick Oct. 14. When first seen he complained of pain in
back of head and neck. He had but slight fever for several days but
there was a decided increase until the temperature was about 103 in the
morning, and 104 to 104.5 in the evening. The variations were but slight
for several days. He was quiet, uncomplaining, and when asked how he
felt replied, “Very well, thank you.” When closely questioned,
he spoke of an aching pain in the back of his head, which was much worse
with the increase of the fever and diminished with it toward morning.
Several remedies had been given but our little patient was fast gliding
away with but little evidence of sickness, except the fever.

Some loose offensive
movements of the bowels occasionally broke the monotony and, although
quite offensive, gave no sufficient clue to the remedy. A very careful
history elicited these facts : Before the pregnancy which resulted
in birth of this boy, the mother lost two children. During the term of
pregnancy she was in deep suppressed grief, because of this loss and
kept away from friends, did not visit, but led a lonely sad life during
the whole term. When Willie grew to some size she noticed that he did
not play as did other boys. He was imposed upon without resistance on
his part and if wronged said nothing, but later gave vent to his
suppressed grief in tears when alone. If for any trivial offense she
reprimanded him, he said nothing, but perhaps some time later she found
him alone and crying. Even during this illness he preferred being alone
all day. If for any reason she left his room, on her return frequently
found him crying. Whether atavism is mythical or not this history led to
Ignatia, and within 12 hours after
taking it a decided change for the better was made. His recovery has
progressed without further medication. If these illustrations will help
any one at a time when there is ” a painful absence of
symptoms” our desire will be realized.

Source :

Medical Advance, 1886.

Copyright © Sylvain
Cazalet 2001

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