Pr. Willis A. Dewey : Abscess. – Thérapeutique Homéopathique Pratique (THP) – Par le Dr Robert Séror

Thérapeutique
Homéopathique Pratique (THP).
Par le Dr Robert Séror

Abscess.
By Pr. Willis A. Dewey.

Pr. Willis A. Dewey (1858-1938)

(Including Infections, Suppurations, Cellulitis, etc.)

(Belladonna, Chamomilla, Hepar sulphur, Silicea, Mercurius, Lachesis,
Sulphur, Arnica, Rhus toxicodendron, Echinacea, Nitricum acidum, Kalium
iodatum, Phosphorus, Pyrogenium.)

BELLADONNA.

Belladonna is the remedy most often indicated for the initiatory symptoms
of abscess.

The parts

swell rapidly,
become bright red, there is intense throbbing which is painful, pus develops
speedily, the swelling increases and the redness radiates ; here Belladonna
is in close relation with Hepar
and Mercurius.

It comes in earlier than either of these remedies and corresponds more
closely to the

active,
sthenic variety of abscess before pus is matured.

In abscesses about the alveolar processes, the so-called gum boils,

Belladonna
is often the first remedy and Mercurius
follows here in most cases. In acute glandular abscesses Belladonna
is often indicated and is a beginning remedy.

CHAMOMILLA.

Chamomilla is not a remedy to suggest itself in abscess, yet has proved
valuable in promoting the formation of pus in chronic abscesses where

Hepar
has failed to act promptly, and in making the pains more bearable.

HEPAR SULPHUR.

Hepar sulphur is the great homœopathic remedy for suppurations where the
pus is not decomposed. It suits especially lymphatic, phlegmatic
individuals.

Excessive sensitiveness
of the parts is a leading indication.

It is further indicated by these
symptoms : chilly sensations, throbbing in the parts, or sharp,
sticking pains which are worse at
night and from cold. If given low in threatening suppuration it will favor
the formation of pus. The suppurative process will often be aborted by Hepar
if given in the higher potencies.

Such abscesses as felon or whitlow generally do well under

Hepar.
If there be a bruised pain present, sometimes Arnica
may do good.

There are two other preparations similar to

Hepar ;
Calcium sulphide, which is the
chemically pure article, has never been proved, hence we must regard it only
as a makeshift for Hepar,
and Calcarea sulphurica.

This last remedy has been found useful in cases of abscess where the
suppuration seems to continue indefinitely.

The presence of pus with a vent has been considered a good
indication ; it comes in after

Silicea,
and suits painful abscesses about the anus, and is a most useful remedy in
gums boils. Dr. W. E. Leonard
claims that in the 12x it will abort felons and furuncles.

SILICEA.

Silicea is the remedy where the suppuration continues and the wound
refuses to heal, no matter where the suppurative process is located ;
the pus is apt to be thin, watery, and the process is a sluggish and
indolent one.

Under

Silicea
the suppurative process takes on a healthy action, the pus becomes benign,
granulations appear. It is then time to stop the remedy, for if it be
continued it may undo the good it has done, and another remedy, probably Fluoric
acid, will have to be given.

This remedy antidotes the overuse of

Silicea.
Silicea
is usually prescribed after an abscess has been lanced or opened by means of
a poultice.

Warmth is very grateful to the

Silicea
patient. Fluoric acid
has relief from cold. Abscesses having much
cellular infiltration in their
vicinity call for Silicea.

It, too, is a remedy for all fistulous burrowings. In rectal fistula it
is very often the remedy ; great nervous erethism, if present, is an
additional indication.

There is often considerable fœtor to the discharge of

Silicea
cases.

Scrofulous and tubercular abscesses especially call for

Silicea.

MERCURIUS.

Mercurius. Differing from

Belladonna,
from Hepar,
and especially from Silicea
is Mercurius,
which is one of our good remedies in abscess.

It comes in after

Belladonna,
when pus has formed.

It favors the formation of pus especially in the lower potencies, and is
especially indicated in glandular abscesses ; the pus is greenish in
tint, and quite thin and fluid.

There is intense, shining redness with throbbing and stinging pains. It
does not follow

Silicea
well.

From

Hepar
it is to be distinguished by general symptoms ; then, too, the
suppurative process is slower, and all the pains are greatly aggravated at
night.

In abscesses at the

roots of the
teeth it is one of our best remedies,
and it is often efficacious in toothache due to this cause.

It will often abort suppuration when used in the highest potencies, as in
tonsillitis, where it is a most valuable remedy.

It is a remarkable remedy in

pyorrhea
and will make extraction of teeth unnecessary.

LACHESIS.

In low conditions of abscess, when pus is thin, dark, ichorous, and
offensive in character,

Lachesis
may be the remedy.

The parts are purplish in appearance. It is the remedy for abscess where
poisonous matter has been introduced into the system, causing the trouble.

Carbo vegetabilis

may also be a
remedy in long-lasting, unhealthy suppurative processes which produce a
hectic fever.

Rhus toxicodendron

is another
remedy for abscesses of the parotid or axillary glands where there is a
discharge of a bloody, serous pus.

The evident poisoned condition of the system and tendency of the abscess
to take on a carbunculous state will indicate

Rhus.

With

Lachesis
the discharge is a thin, ichorous pus. Another remedy in low conditions of
abscess is Arsenicum ;
the great debility, the production of watery, ichorous pus, the threatening
of gangrene and the intolerable
burning pains will call immediate
attention to this remedy.

SULPHUR.

Sulphur is also a remedy which may be used with the greatest benefit in
abscesses and suppurations ; especially is it useful in chronic cases
where the discharge is profuse, accompanied with emaciation and hectic
fever.

Abscesses in scrofulous persons, where there is a marked psoric taint and
a tendency to boils, correspond to

Sulphur.
The pus is acrid and excoriating.

Crops of boils in various parts of the body indicate the remedy well.

Lycopodium
has also been found useful in boils which are greatly aggravated by
poultices.

ARNICA.

Arnica is the remedy where abscesses and boils do not mature ; they
shrivel up, then another crop comes ;

Arnica
will often develop the abscess, carrying it on to a discharge of the pus and
a cure of the trouble.

Boils coming in crops call for

Arnica ;
they are very sore,
purplish in color ; also blood boils which are very sore.

Calcarea carbonica, Calcarea iodata

(especially in abscess of the cervical glands scrofulous in nature), Asafœtida,
Calendula (traumatic suppuration), and
a number of other remedies may perchance be indicated in suppuration and
abscess.

With

Calendula
the pus is thick and yellow, not attended with active inflammation.

The symptoms, unhealthy skin, every little wound or scratch suppurates,
are found under

Hepar, Silicea,
Calcarea carbonica and Graphites.

Grauvogl

considered Arnica
as a remedy to prevent suppuration, and particularly to hinder the
absorption of pus and so prevent pyæmia.

RHUS TOXICODENDRON.

Rhus toxicodendron is a very useful remedy in acute suppurations ;
especially has it been found useful in suppurative conditions about the eye.

It has proved curative in abscesses about the parotid and axillary
glands ; the pus is bloody and serous, the pain is intense, and the
swelling is dark red.

Rhus
corresponds very closely to septicæmia.

ECHINACEA.

Echinacea has achieved a well merited reputation in suppurative
conditions, especially where symptoms of blood poisoning are present.

There is no question as to its efficacy.

NITRIC ACIDUM

Nitric acid may also come in suppurations about the glands, especially
the inguinal or axillary, in syphilitic subjects, and when the discharge is
offensive, excoriating and of a dirty, greenish yellow color.

Suppurations in mastoid process.

KALIUM IODATUM.

Kali iodatum

must also be thought
of in syphilitic or scrofulous cases.

PHOSPHORUS.

Phosphorus

is often useful in
abscesses about the bones, and here we will find Aurum,
Asafœtida, Pulsatilla, Calcarea phosphorica, Calcarea fluorica
and Manganum
special remedies.

PYROGEN.

Pyrogen

according to Dr. W. E. Leonard
is invaluable as a remedy in recurring abscess conditions.

It will clean up the system and prevent a recurrence.

---