New, Old, and Forgotten Remedies: Papers by Many Writers
Science
New, Old, and Forgotten Remedies: Papers by Many Writers
Homeopathy -- Materia medica and therapeutics
An old and very valuable remedy. This plant is found all over Europe
(and in some parts of North America), in wet fields and ditches. We make
a tincture out of it which has marvelous healing and cicatrizing
properties. _Symphytum_ must be a very old popular remedy; its
reputation is well established, and it is mentioned in all the old
medical "tomes." The decoction acts as an effective demulcent and
pain-killer in severe bruises. It diminishes the irritation in wounds
and ulcers, ameliorates and lessens too copious suppuration and promotes
the healing processes. In homoeopathic practice the tincture diluted
with water is used with great success in fractures and bruises or other
injuries of bones. Its effect is really extraordinary in injuries to
sinews, tendons and the periosteum.
A few days ago a colleague consulted me about a horse with a stab wound
in the fetlock which would not heal, do what he would, and which
rendered locomotion impossible. (The doctor is by no means a young or
inexperienced veterinarian.) I examined the wound, and at once
recommended _Symphytum_ [Greek: theta]. Within two weeks the animal was
cured. This remedy really cannot be overestimated.
(Dr. W. H. Thompson, President of Royal College of
Surgeons in Ireland, in an address reported in London
_Lancet_, 1896, reports a case of which the following is
the gist:)
Early in 1895 he saw a man who was suffering from a malignant growth in
the nose--"a malignant tumor of the antrum, which had extended to the
nose." An exploratory operation confirmed this diagnosis. "He refused
the larger operation. The exploration was made by Dr. Woods. We found
that the tumor did extend from the antrum, into which I could bore my
finger easily. Dr. O'Sullivan, Professor of Pathology in Trinity
College, declared the growth to be a round-celled sarcoma. Of that there
is no doubt. The tumor returned in a couple of months, and the patient
then saw Dr. Semon, in London, who advised immediate removal. He
returned home, and after a further delay he asked to have the operation
performed. I did this in May last by the usual method. I found the tumor
occupying the whole of the antrum. The base of the skull was everywhere
infiltrated. The tumor had passed into the right nose and perforated the
septum so as to extend into the left. It adhered to the septum around
the site of perforation. This was all removed, leaving a hole in the
septum about the size of a florin. He went home within a fortnight. In a
month the growth showed signs of return. It bulged through the incision
and protruded upon the face. Dr. Woods saw him soon afterwards, as I had
declared by letter that a further operation would be of no avail. The
tumor had now almost closed the right eye. It was blue, tense, firm, and
lobulated, but it did not break. Dr. Woods reported the result of his
visit to me, and we agreed as to the prognosis. Early in October the
patient walked into my study after a visit to Dr. Woods.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account