Pulsatilla pratensis

CATARRH.

ACUTE NASAL CATARRH.

If after these two stages are passed anything more is needed we have

Pulsatilla, which is generally the best remedy if there is that bland discharge from the nose, or the same kind of expectoration with the cough. The sense of smell is blunted or lost, also taste, or bitter taste. There is no thirst, and generally poor appetite. The choice may lie between this remedy and

CHRONIC NASAL CATARRH.

Pulsatilla and Kali sulphuricum. The former is first to be considered in a chronic catarrh, which has followed one or several acute attacks. The thin watery discharge of the first stage has changed to thick green, bland, sometimes offensive, with loss of taste and smell. The nasal mucus becomes offensive as of old catarrh, it is worse in the evening and in a warm room, as is the patient generally, or, in other words, it is better in the open air. The—

BRONCHITIS.

ACUTE BRONCHITIS.

If so far under the.preceding remedies the case has improved until the inflammatory symptoms are mainly gone, but there is still considerable cough with loose rattling of mucus which needs clearing up, there are these two remedies that often will do it.

Pulsatilla or Kali sulphuricum. The former, if the expectoration is green and bitter, there is bad taste in the mouth, the appetite is poor and the patient is very hungry for cold air, wants cool room or open air. If this does not do all, Kali sulph. is its chronic and often follows well on the same indications, of course there are other remedies which may come in according to indication, we cannot tell which one, but the whole materia medica is our armamentarium, and the true homœopath knows how to draw upon it, and use it. When Bronchitis has settled into the chronic form, there may be acute exacerbations that may at times call for the foregoing line of treatment, but a long list of remedies claims our attention; prominent among them are Sulphur, Calcarea carb. and Lycopodium, which Jahr considers a great trio in the order here mentioned, at long intervals apart. Sanguinaria, Kali hydrod. and Stannum form another trio where the expectoration is profuse. Arsenicum, Ipecac and Natrum sulph., where there are asthmatic complications, will often be very useful. Kali bich., Hydrastis and Coccus cacti, in profuse stringy expectoration. Ammonium carb., Cinchona and Carbo vegetab. are often of use in weakened constitutions, especially in aged people. Hepar sulph., Silicea and Tuberculinum are great in those cases which are profuse and purulent (the expectoration), and especially if every little exposure to cold aggravates the existing conditions. We will mention a few of the many more without attempting to classify them, such as Alumina, Ambra gris., Amm. mur., Iodine, Kali carb., Phosphorus, Phos. acid., Sepia, Lachesis, Spongia, Drosera, Eupat. perf., Balsam peru., Calc. sulph., Grindelia, Gummi am., Kreosot., Myosotis, Scilla, Senega, Yerba santa, etc., and refer for indications first to the articles on cough and tuberculosis, then to the repertory and the materia medica, “last and best of all the game.”

PERTUSSIS (Whooping Cough).

After this stage is modified or past, the stage of looseness or rattling of mucus follows, and may need such remedies as Pulsatilla if the expectoration is thick, green and the patient craves fresh, cool air, and is > in a cool room. Antimon, tart. if there is much rattling (coarse rattling) of mucus which is difficult to expectorate, especially if the child gets cyanosed from the abundant accumulation. When the child coughs it seems as if a cup full of mucus would come but it does not. Sleepiness or coma results. Expectoration relieves. Carbo veg. may follow it if the weakness and general blueness from unoxygenized blood, with great hunger for oxygen, wants to be fanned hard to breathe, coldness and prostration.

PNEUMONIA.

Pulsatilla will sometimes close up the case when the expectoration becomes thick, profuse, green and bitter or offensive tasting, and the patient feels chilly, yet cannot bear the atmosphere of a close warm room.

PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS.

Pulsatilla. Is indicated in those cases of lung trouble which, instead of having a dry cough, the cough becomes loose, and the expectoration is of yellow or green mucus, with bitter taste, sometimes streaked with blood. The tongue is coated white, with little or no thirst, and loss of taste and sometimes smell, and the discharge from the nose corresponds with that expectorated. The menses have not appeared as they should; the patient grows weak, short breathed, especially oppressed in a close warm room, and feels much better in open air, though she chills easily, and if in pain chilly with the pains. This is a picture of a case following an acute attack of bronchial or lung trouble. But there is another phase that is of equal importance. It is when the patient has had a suppression of the menses. Especially by chilling or wetting the feet, or in young girls where they do not come on or are delayed. The patient becomes chlorotic, chilly, and has the same aggravation indoors as above, and is greatly relieved in open air, also unlike Bryonia is better when moving slowly around. She has erratic pains, now here, now there, and is generally very sad and inclines much to weeping over her condition. This state is of course found very often in the well known Pulsatilla temperament. These are a few of the leading symptoms and this remedy is almost sure to check the progress of an incipient consumption if wisely applied. Let me say right here, that if the patient is of a psoric constitution, Sulphur, of course, must not be forgotten, but if not that Tuberculinum high complements Pulsatilla as well as Sulphur does Bryonia; of course, according to indications which will often be found.

COUGH.

Character—Dry cough at night or evening, after lying down. Loose cough with copious expectoration of bitter or tasteless mucus; < on lying down.

Aggravation—< evening; on lying down.

Amelioration—> sitting up; and cool air.

Accompaniment—Second stage of catarrhal colds with thick discharge from nose which is bland in character. Throat sore, raw, with distended veins. Aphonia, can’t speak loud. Loss of taste, or bitter taste. Constant chilliness, but generally aggravated in warm room, with oppressed breathing. Phlegmatic subjects. Mild, yielding, tearful, inclined to despondency; easily moved to tears.

The respiratory troubles of Pulsatilla are often connected with menstrual irregularities, chilling or wetting the feet, especially when menstruating, or in amenorrhœa. Again in the sequelæ of measles, where hoarseness and loose cough follows and obstinately persists. This is where those who have any tendency to lung trouble are often set going in that direction. In the loose rattling cough with other Pulsatilla symptoms a timely and judicious use of this remedy may avert consumption. Kali sulphuricum is its chronic and may be found to be a “finisher” in obstinate cases. Pulsatilla, Stannum, Kali hydroid., Sepia and Sulphur form another quintette to be studied in such cases.