Natrum Sulph. in
symptoms arising after an injury to the head.
by James Tyler Kent, M.D.
Presented by Sylvain CazaletThis case, involving
the most intense suffering, was the result of a violent accident, that
of being trampled upon by a spirited horse. While visiting the farm of
Chancellor Nicholson of Dover, Del., he invited my attention to his
farmer who was suffering at that time from the following symptoms :
Dr J. T. KentRheumatism in left
side, no pain elsewhere, worse in hands to wrists and knees to hips.
Pain like a knife sticking in him, had not had such an attack for a long
time. Agg. in bed, can’t sleep for the pain.Does not feel sleepy,
gets mad because he cannot sleep. Gets stiff all over when he sits or
lies down. Amel. from pressure of moving about.Having learnt that Mrs.
Nicholson had given Rhus. about the 30th potency after the accident and
that it had worked well and the symptoms seeming to agree, I gave him
one dose of Rhus. mm on Oct. 27, 1897. This had only a temporary effect,
as will be seen by the following letter from the Chancellor.
Symptoms of R. R. E.
December 1, 1897.
Since the days of his
apprenticeship in a Vienna Brewery he has been a very poor sleeper.Immediately after
taking your last powder he slept for four or five nights, “better
than in all his life,” say four or five hours of good sleep each
night. Since then has not slept at all. Says positively that in the
whole time, day and night put together, he has not been asleep two
hours. His eyes wide open all night long except when he holds his hands
over them. Has waking dreams all day. Sees and talks with his father and
with me. Sees what he reads all over the world, particularly military
scenes, such as battles in Cuba, etc. (He served through Franco-Prussian
War in the Bavarian Cavalry.)Is very nervous and
startles at any sound during the night -“not scared exactly, but
nervous all over down to the tips of his fingers.” This is
something very novel to him.Has nearly the whole
time what he calls a “zurnming in his ears,” usually not very
loud, but if he gets up suddenly after lying down it comes on very loud,
“like a bumble-bee in a hollow board.” If he gets up very
slowly and carefully he escapes this. With the loud “zurnming”
a pain comes across the top of his head from ear to ear running back to
the point where the hair centers.Pain in his head comes
when he lies down, on the side he is lying on. On account of this he
always lies on his back with his head propped high. This pain goes away
when he sits up or stands. His forehead always feels very heavy and
frequently at the top of it, on the left hand side, he has a sharp
throbbing pain for a little while. About eighteen months ago my big colt
trampled on his head about this place. His memory has been bad ever
since then and he has had great suffering with his head at the injured
point especially.He sweats very easily
and profusely, which makes him feel cold and take cold very frequently
in his ordinary outdoor work. His breast is now very sore to the touch
in the region of the ribs and breast bone, the muscles apparently.He seems tireless in
his work says he feels no fatigue when he works all day long and is full
of restless energy. Have noticed frequently of late a wild look in his
eyes. The terrible sleeplessness is the one symptom upon which he
himself dwells and which he tells me “his wife says is driving him
crazy.”He drinks coffee three
times a day, but says that if you direct him to stop it he will not miss
it. Has very little appetite. Is habitually a small eater and the sight
of any large quantities of food on the table is so repulsive to him that
it makes it impossible for him to eat anything.“If these symptoms
do not clearly indicate a remedy, please let me know and I will send him
up to you, provided you think his condition serious.”On these symptoms I
sent, to be taken once, one powder of
Natrum-sulph. 20m.
December 28, 1897.
The following report
was received :“Effect of last powder is
amazing ; patient sleeps well and looks like another man. The
wrinkles are smoothed out and his eyes are mild and youthful. Two days
after the powder he was worse, (his headaches were worse) but he later
became sleepy and then sleep came normally.”Copyright ©
Sylvain Cazalet 2001
