Diphtherinum
by Adolph von Lippe — Keynotes and Red Line Symptoms of the Materia Medica
Historical reference for practitioners and students. The statements below reflect the named author’s homeopathic teaching and do not establish treatment effectiveness. This text is not medical advice and must not replace appropriate diagnosis or care.
Common name: diphtheritic virus (or the toxin produced by the klebs-loeffler bacillus).
The attack from the onset tends to malignancy (Lac-C., Merc-Cy.) (A.).
Weak and restless, but without pain (B.).
Yellow, thick, nasal discharge (B.).
Talks in sleep with open eyes (B.).
Jerking of single parts (B.).
Dark-red swelling of the tonsils and palatine arches; parotid and cervical glands greatly swollen; breath and discharges from the throat, nose and mouth very offensive; tongue swollen, very red, little coating. (A.).
Breath horribly offensive (Ars., Carb-V., Merc., Mur-Ac., Nit-Ac., Phos., Sulph.) (A.).
Diphtheritic membrane, thick, dark gray or brownish black; temperature low or sub-normal; pulse weak and rapid; extremities cold and marked debility; patient lies in a semi-stupid condition; eyes dull, besotted (Apis, Bapt.) (A.).
Swallows without pain but, fluids are vomited or returned by the nose (Gels., Kali-P., Lach.) (A.).
Epistaxis or profound prostration from very onset of attack (All-C., Apis, Carb-Ac.) (A.).
Laryngeal diphtheria (Chlor., Kali-B., Lac-C.).
Sopor or stupor, but easily aroused when spoken to (Bapt., Sulph.) (A.).
Post-diphtheritic paralysis (Gels., Lach., Mur-Ac.)(B.).
Fluids are returned by the nose.
When the patient from the first seems doomed, and the most carefully selected remedies fail to relieve or permanently improve.
RELATIONSHIP: Similar to Ars., Bapt., Brom., Carb-Ac., Caust., Chlor., Gels., Lach., Mur-Ae., Phos., Sulph.