APOCYNUM CANNABINUM CASES
-GEORGE VITHOULKAS
Cases
1. An interesting case which was worked out by the students was that of a woman aged 35, tall, fair, dark complexioned. For four years she had been troubled with vomiting at each menstruation. This had been growing worse each month, until she was obliged to remain in bed ten days each period. The vomiting was aggravated for two or three hours after eating though it was quite constant the whole 24h.
Vomitus was sour, of food eaten, and later watery and mucus. She had mild cramps in the uterus; lips were dry and lower lip was cracked in the middle. She had been married for several years, but had never been pregnant. The uterus was small and felt hard and fibrous. The fourteen remedies in Kent, indicating vomiting during menstruation, which are most prominently marked are : Amm-car. Amm-mur. APOC, Calc-c. Carb-v. cupr, Graph. Kali-c. Lach. Lyc. Phos. Sulph. Verat-alb.
A comparison of the stomach symptoms of all the above led to the selection of Apocynum on account of the marked irritability which that drug causes in the stomach, not only during menstruation, but in various other conditions. There was moreover, the negative reason that none of the other remedies covered the case in type or general characteristics. On Oct. 11th she was given Apocynum3r four times daily, and was then discharged from the Hospital. Sixteen days later (Oct27), she reported with a herpes zoster on left side of the chest, large blisters, burning pains worse at night, chilly and thirsty for small amounts of water. Under Ars. 1M symptoms cleared up in a few days and her menstruation came on two weeks overdue, but with no vomiting, the first time for four years that no vomiting had occured.
It is of interest to note, in connection with a herpes zoster, that this disease has been prevalent in New York during the past two years. My associates and I have seen more cases within this time than during fifteen years previous.
On Dec. 1st this patient went to Atlanta by boat and during the trip, menstruated, and vomited as before. Apocynum 30th was sent, to be taken four times a day for a week. Her next period was six days too early, accompanied by some vomiting, after which one powder of Apocynum 200th was given. The following period was free from trouble, and, as she has not been heard of since, the probability is that she is cured. Apocynum is usually recommended to be given in low potencies.
The only other case in which I have used it was in a cardio-nephritic with edema, where the 30th was entirely satisfactory.
Observation: It is interesting to note here:
a. That the low potencies lasted for a very short time and needed a high potency to bring about the cure.
b. That we can consider this case as a constitutional Apocynum case - after the Arsenicum that was given for an acute, the patient still needed Apocynum, which cured. It would be of interest therefore to know what the effect of Apocynum was within the next year or two (we may see the homeopathic effect of a remedy persist for even longer periods) on her uterus and whether this woman was able to conceive and bring to fruition a pregnancy. If the assumption is correct that this was her constitutional medicine, then these remarks would be totally valid.
2. July 1868 A.R. , a strumous child aged 18 months, had been suffering for three weeks with diarrhea which merged in to "Marasmus" with stool green and yellow, and again green and bloody, numbering as many as 30 to 35 in the 24 hours. The child was much emaciated, had constant and intense thirst. The simplest drink would be injected almost immediately, as soon as taken. No desire for any kind of nourishment, rejecting everything that was offered, when stools would pass involuntarily. Gave Secale corn. 3 minims v.,in Aqua f. dr.,ij. Dose a teaspoonful every 2 h. Called the following day, found the stools were less frequent by two-thirds, and changed for the better in colour. The child, notwithstanding, was worse and evidently sinking. In fact the case presented symptoms of ureamic poisoning, viz: almost total suppression of urine, upper and lower limbs cold and clammy, eyes rolled up, to use a common expression "set"; lids partially opened and a sort of stupor from which it was difficult to rouse the little one. Dissolution was apparently setting in rapidly, and I began to despair of saving the the child's life. My friend and partner, Dr. R. Ross Roberts, of this place was summoned to the case and confirmed the above diagnosis, Apocynum was given at his suggestion, and we left the case, promising to call in the evening; we did so, and found the child much improved, having passed large quantities of water during the day. The Secale was suspended during the administration of the Apocynum, and after the urine began to flow freely the latter was suspended, and the former given, after which the child went on rapidly to recovery, and is now a hale, hearty specimen.
There is much of value to be obtained from a hint like this. It is my belief that many young children pass in to the ureamic condition mentioned before and die. A timely administration of Apocynum, or some other remedy which would promptly restore the flow of urine, will change the nature of the case and snatch as it were, a victim from the jaws of death ; on the other hand, a neglect to pay attention to this function has and will continue to cost many lives. I trust this hint may prove as useful and valuable to others as it has to me.
American Journal of Homeopathic Materia Medica, Pa., Dec 1868, Vol. II, No. 4, p. 182.
Observation: This case is interesting for totally different reasons than the ones mentioned by the reporting doctor. It is obvious that the remedy that was the similimum was Apocynum, whereas the Secale cor. acted as a palliative on a local level, while at the same time suppressing the whole disease to deeper levels. Why then does the doctor say that while Apocynum was discontinued and Secale given again the case had a good evolution? It is only the action of the correct remedy -Apocynum - that continued to give positive results and brought the case to a complete cure. My reasons for saying so are the following:
1. No time was given for Apocynum to show its longer action after it had established the flow of urine and ameliorated the whole situation.
2. No remedy will act curatively locally and at the same time bring about a general amelioration unless it is the correct one. But if Apocynum was the correct remedy, where is the need for a second remedy when the doctor does not mention the development of any different symptomatology to justify his prescription for Secale?
3. Secale is a very warm remedy while Apocynum is cold, and this alone could differentiate the remedies.
4. Secale and Apocynum look alike only inasmuch as they both have a continuous metrorrhagia, as does Phosphorus also. But if Secale was the wrong remedy, why then did it not suppress the case again as it had done in the first place? The answer is because after Apocynum the whole symptomatology had changed and the organism had also become stronger. In view of these thoughts, the doctor's hint about needing Apocynum to reestablish the flow of urine in uremia is misleading, because this remedy will only affect a similar cure if and when it is really indicated. The reason why the doctor repeated Secale again immediately after the curative action of Apocynum is - to my understanding - simply to confuse the issue and not admit that his first prescription was wrong!
3. J.H. Clarke reports that hydrocephalus has been cured with it: in one case "the child lying, with constant involuntary motion of one arm and leg", in another case "paralysis of left side; one eye motionless, one rolling." Also, three cases of neuralgia of the right side - groin, hip, and in one case the region of right kidney - have been cured with this remedy. All were violent, extorting cries. In one case the pain set in very suddenly and the slightest jar aggravated.
J.H. Clarke, reported in his Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica, Vol. I, p. 148.
4. A young woman complained of edema of the legs and ankles first only at menses and now continuous for several months. She was chilly and craved warmth; always thirsty; no perspiration; history of illness prior onset of edematus condition which was becoming progressively persistent.
apocynum 200, one dose, controlled this edema for many months. Several doses were given to have on hand if edema recurred, and report when used. A couple of days after the first dose she reported profuse excessive urination and the edema of legs disappeared and had not returned up to about 6 months of follow-up. She also seemed in brighter spirits (a subjective observation)! Everyone was pleased, especially the young woman with the recovery of her beautiful legs. Here too, because of the history of illness prior onset of edema, I felt a constitutional remedy was indicated but this was not to be, for the Apocynum had removed all her complaints.
Journal of Am. Inst. of Hom. ,Vol. 71, No. 3, Sept 1978, p. 184.
Cases
1. An interesting case which was worked out by the students was that of a woman aged 35, tall, fair, dark complexioned. For four years she had been troubled with vomiting at each menstruation. This had been growing worse each month, until she was obliged to remain in bed ten days each period. The vomiting was aggravated for two or three hours after eating though it was quite constant the whole 24h.
Vomitus was sour, of food eaten, and later watery and mucus. She had mild cramps in the uterus; lips were dry and lower lip was cracked in the middle. She had been married for several years, but had never been pregnant. The uterus was small and felt hard and fibrous. The fourteen remedies in Kent, indicating vomiting during menstruation, which are most prominently marked are : Amm-car. Amm-mur. APOC, Calc-c. Carb-v. cupr, Graph. Kali-c. Lach. Lyc. Phos. Sulph. Verat-alb.
A comparison of the stomach symptoms of all the above led to the selection of Apocynum on account of the marked irritability which that drug causes in the stomach, not only during menstruation, but in various other conditions. There was moreover, the negative reason that none of the other remedies covered the case in type or general characteristics. On Oct. 11th she was given Apocynum3r four times daily, and was then discharged from the Hospital. Sixteen days later (Oct27), she reported with a herpes zoster on left side of the chest, large blisters, burning pains worse at night, chilly and thirsty for small amounts of water. Under Ars. 1M symptoms cleared up in a few days and her menstruation came on two weeks overdue, but with no vomiting, the first time for four years that no vomiting had occured.
It is of interest to note, in connection with a herpes zoster, that this disease has been prevalent in New York during the past two years. My associates and I have seen more cases within this time than during fifteen years previous.
On Dec. 1st this patient went to Atlanta by boat and during the trip, menstruated, and vomited as before. Apocynum 30th was sent, to be taken four times a day for a week. Her next period was six days too early, accompanied by some vomiting, after which one powder of Apocynum 200th was given. The following period was free from trouble, and, as she has not been heard of since, the probability is that she is cured. Apocynum is usually recommended to be given in low potencies.
The only other case in which I have used it was in a cardio-nephritic with edema, where the 30th was entirely satisfactory.
Observation: It is interesting to note here:
a. That the low potencies lasted for a very short time and needed a high potency to bring about the cure.
b. That we can consider this case as a constitutional Apocynum case - after the Arsenicum that was given for an acute, the patient still needed Apocynum, which cured. It would be of interest therefore to know what the effect of Apocynum was within the next year or two (we may see the homeopathic effect of a remedy persist for even longer periods) on her uterus and whether this woman was able to conceive and bring to fruition a pregnancy. If the assumption is correct that this was her constitutional medicine, then these remarks would be totally valid.
2. July 1868 A.R. , a strumous child aged 18 months, had been suffering for three weeks with diarrhea which merged in to "Marasmus" with stool green and yellow, and again green and bloody, numbering as many as 30 to 35 in the 24 hours. The child was much emaciated, had constant and intense thirst. The simplest drink would be injected almost immediately, as soon as taken. No desire for any kind of nourishment, rejecting everything that was offered, when stools would pass involuntarily. Gave Secale corn. 3 minims v.,in Aqua f. dr.,ij. Dose a teaspoonful every 2 h. Called the following day, found the stools were less frequent by two-thirds, and changed for the better in colour. The child, notwithstanding, was worse and evidently sinking. In fact the case presented symptoms of ureamic poisoning, viz: almost total suppression of urine, upper and lower limbs cold and clammy, eyes rolled up, to use a common expression "set"; lids partially opened and a sort of stupor from which it was difficult to rouse the little one. Dissolution was apparently setting in rapidly, and I began to despair of saving the the child's life. My friend and partner, Dr. R. Ross Roberts, of this place was summoned to the case and confirmed the above diagnosis, Apocynum was given at his suggestion, and we left the case, promising to call in the evening; we did so, and found the child much improved, having passed large quantities of water during the day. The Secale was suspended during the administration of the Apocynum, and after the urine began to flow freely the latter was suspended, and the former given, after which the child went on rapidly to recovery, and is now a hale, hearty specimen.
There is much of value to be obtained from a hint like this. It is my belief that many young children pass in to the ureamic condition mentioned before and die. A timely administration of Apocynum, or some other remedy which would promptly restore the flow of urine, will change the nature of the case and snatch as it were, a victim from the jaws of death ; on the other hand, a neglect to pay attention to this function has and will continue to cost many lives. I trust this hint may prove as useful and valuable to others as it has to me.
American Journal of Homeopathic Materia Medica, Pa., Dec 1868, Vol. II, No. 4, p. 182.
Observation: This case is interesting for totally different reasons than the ones mentioned by the reporting doctor. It is obvious that the remedy that was the similimum was Apocynum, whereas the Secale cor. acted as a palliative on a local level, while at the same time suppressing the whole disease to deeper levels. Why then does the doctor say that while Apocynum was discontinued and Secale given again the case had a good evolution? It is only the action of the correct remedy -Apocynum - that continued to give positive results and brought the case to a complete cure. My reasons for saying so are the following:
1. No time was given for Apocynum to show its longer action after it had established the flow of urine and ameliorated the whole situation.
2. No remedy will act curatively locally and at the same time bring about a general amelioration unless it is the correct one. But if Apocynum was the correct remedy, where is the need for a second remedy when the doctor does not mention the development of any different symptomatology to justify his prescription for Secale?
3. Secale is a very warm remedy while Apocynum is cold, and this alone could differentiate the remedies.
4. Secale and Apocynum look alike only inasmuch as they both have a continuous metrorrhagia, as does Phosphorus also. But if Secale was the wrong remedy, why then did it not suppress the case again as it had done in the first place? The answer is because after Apocynum the whole symptomatology had changed and the organism had also become stronger. In view of these thoughts, the doctor's hint about needing Apocynum to reestablish the flow of urine in uremia is misleading, because this remedy will only affect a similar cure if and when it is really indicated. The reason why the doctor repeated Secale again immediately after the curative action of Apocynum is - to my understanding - simply to confuse the issue and not admit that his first prescription was wrong!
3. J.H. Clarke reports that hydrocephalus has been cured with it: in one case "the child lying, with constant involuntary motion of one arm and leg", in another case "paralysis of left side; one eye motionless, one rolling." Also, three cases of neuralgia of the right side - groin, hip, and in one case the region of right kidney - have been cured with this remedy. All were violent, extorting cries. In one case the pain set in very suddenly and the slightest jar aggravated.
J.H. Clarke, reported in his Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica, Vol. I, p. 148.
4. A young woman complained of edema of the legs and ankles first only at menses and now continuous for several months. She was chilly and craved warmth; always thirsty; no perspiration; history of illness prior onset of edematus condition which was becoming progressively persistent.
apocynum 200, one dose, controlled this edema for many months. Several doses were given to have on hand if edema recurred, and report when used. A couple of days after the first dose she reported profuse excessive urination and the edema of legs disappeared and had not returned up to about 6 months of follow-up. She also seemed in brighter spirits (a subjective observation)! Everyone was pleased, especially the young woman with the recovery of her beautiful legs. Here too, because of the history of illness prior onset of edema, I felt a constitutional remedy was indicated but this was not to be, for the Apocynum had removed all her complaints.
Journal of Am. Inst. of Hom. ,Vol. 71, No. 3, Sept 1978, p. 184.
Comments
Post a Comment
PLEASE WRITE YOUR SYMPTOMS HERE TO GET SUGGESTION.