Biochemic Treatment of Fever, Pain and Inflammation

Fever

Fever is a condition characterised by an increase in body temperature, it is one of the most common symptoms of disease but should be regarded as secondary to the disordered state with which it is associated. The temperature of the human body in health ranges between 98.4 degrees and 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit or 37° centigrade.

There are daily variations, the lowest being between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. and the highest during the evening. The body normally maintains an even temperature by controlling the balance between heat gained and lost. Heat is gained by oxidation of the tissues (Ferr. Phos.), which takes place during the process of nutrition. Cooling occurs principally through the lungs and skin.

In the feverish state balance is no longer maintained, more heat being lost than gained. A fever is usually preceded by chilliness and there may be headache or a feeling of tiredness in the limbs.

There follows a “hot” stage, the skin feels dry, there is an increase in the rate of the pulse, excessive thirst, and little desire for food. Then follows some form of discharge, usually a profuse perspiration, after which the fever declines. In some diseases the fever may be continued or remittent.

Ferrum Phos. The first remedy indicated in all types of fevers; rapid pulse. flushed face, sometimes accompanied by chilly sensa tion, vomiting of undigested food. Ferr. Phos. should be continued as long as the fever lasts, and alternated with such other tissue salts as the subsequent symptoms indicate.
Kali Mur. Second stage of fevers, tongue covered with greyish-white coating. There is usually constipation present with light- coloured stools.
Kali Sulph. Evening rise of temperature with hot, dry skin: to promote perspiration. Alternate with Ferr. Phos. in hot water at short intervals.
Nat. Mur. Early stage; excessive thirst, water does not slake thirst; dry skin.

Typhoid Fever

Also called enteric fever, it is a highly contagious disease whose incidence is directly related to the contamination of water, milk and food by sewage.

Salmonella typhi is the organism responsible for this infection. Incubation period is about two weeks. Initially headache, malaise, followed by high fever with a characteristic rash in about two weeks.

Calc. Phos. After the fever as a tonic.
Ferrum Phos. In initial stages with chilliness, flushed face; lips and mucous membrane are red, pulse more rapid and strong.
Kali Mur. Grey or white coated tongue. Loose bowels with light coloured stools, abdominal tenderness and swelling.
Kali Phos. Symptoms of involvement of mind and septic condition. Debility. Weak action of heart, sleeplessness, offensive breath offensive stools. Stupor sordes on teeth. Face pinched with anxious expression. Weak, rapid, irregular pulse with a comparatively low temperature.
Kali Sulph. Typhoid or gastric fever, with rise of temperature at night and a fall in the morning
Nat. Mur. Twitchings and great drowsiness, vomiting, sopor, dry tongue, etc.

Sunstroke

Sunstroke, more accurately called heat-stroke, is a condition of the body produced by exposure to great heat, combined ordinarily with marked humidity of the atmosphere. Sun exposure is not necessary to bring on this trouble, as artificial heat will produce the same result.

When the air is hot and moist, perspiration, which ordinarily by its evaporation cools the temperature of the body, does not evaporate but remains in drops upon the skin, while the body accumulates heat until temperature is so high that a heatstroke is brought on.

Ferrum Phos. In alternation with Nat. Mur. for the inflammatory symptoms and to check fever.
Kali phos. If brain symptoms are present.
Nat. Mur. This is the chief remedy to regulate the distribution of moisture. It should be given at frequent intervals.
Silicea. If nausea is present.

Glandular Affections

Lymphatic glands are situated in various parts of body, e.g., neck, armpits, etc. to drain infection from the bloodstream. They get enlarged in the process.

Kali Mur. Is the chief remedy for all acute glandular swellings. Alternate with Ferrum Phos. if fever is present.
Calc. Phos for chronic swellings. Alternate with Calc. Flour, if the glands are stony hard.
Calc. Sulph. Lymphatic glands discharging pus. Ulcerating glands.
Nat. Mur. Enlarged salivary glands; glands of neck are swollen. Also apply externally.
Nat. Sulph. Sycotic glandular enlargement.
Silicea for suppurating glands.

Inflammations in General

A reaction of the tissues of the body to an injury or infection, characterized by redness, heat, swelling and pain. It is usually due to micro-organisms but may also result from any severe irritation of the skin, as from rubbing chemical or from heat.

Redness and heat is due to influx of blood to the affected part and pain due to the effect of swelling over nerve endings. The affected part should be cleaned with calendula and should be given full rest.

Ferrum Phos. First stage, the stage of hyperaemia. irrespective of the organ involved and regardless of cause. Always before exudation has set in
Kali Mur. Second stage, recent cell-proliferation and white mucus discharges.
Calc. Sulph. Third stage, stage of resolution, with purulent and profuse discharge.
Kali Sulph. Yellow, fatty, degenerated secretion.
Silicea. Lower form suits also to lower the nerve irritability.

Pain

Pain is a timely indication that the human machine is not running as smoothly as it should, there is friction somewhere. It has been well said that “pain is a prayer of nerve for relief”. Give prompt heed to these pains, note their nature and location and select the tissue salt most closely corresponding, e.g: Ferr. Phos. throbbing pains, Mag. Phos. cramping pains, etc.

Ferrum Phos. Pain relieved by cold. Worse from pressure. With congestion.
Kali Sulph. Shifting, wandering pains, better in open air, worse in warm room.
Mag. Phos. Better from pressure and warm drinks. Twitching, Fidgety. Cramping pain.

Convalescence

After an acute illness, the body requires a period of comparative rest in order to recuperate. Some acute ailments are attended by greater risk of a relapse during convalescence, and this applies particularly to those affecting respiration. During the period of recovery strenuous activities should be avoided and exposure to cold, damp, long hours of standing, etc. be reduced to minimum.

Calc. Phos. The principal remedy to restore the quality of the blood, to aid assimilation and to tone up the system generally.
Kali Phos. In alternation with Cale. Phos.

Debility

A condition of weakness or feebleness caused by high fever, prolonged illness or the deteriorative processes of ageing.

Calc. Phos. Young anaemic girls near the age of puberty depressed, nervous, restless. In anaemia of young, rapidly growing people; in women weakened by rapid child-bearing and repeated abortion, prolonger breast feeding or excessive menstruation or leucorrhoea.
Calc. Phos. & Nat. Mur. Both can be alternated to best advantage.
Kali Phos. When nervous system suffers most. Patient is depressed and sensitive.
Nat. Mur. Anaemia with pale and dirty skin. Palpitation; delayed menses; constipation: backacke; emaciation, even by living well. Especially useful after the abuse of quinine; patient shows marked aversion to bread and there is longing for salty food.

Shingles

It is an acute infection of a particular sensory nerve accompanied by pain and an outbreak of blisters along the affected neural path. Herpes zoster is the technical term for it.

It is caused by the identical virus to the virus causes chicken pox. Onset of the infection is signalled by fever and severe pain. Commonly involved is one of the trunk nerves; a semicircle of blisters similar to half a belt extends around half the chest or abdomen. It may also attack cranial nerve.

Kalt Mur. & Nat. Mur in alternation, every two hours.
Kali Phos. If the pain is severe.
Mag. Phos. If worse from cold, better from warmth.
Nat. Phos. If much acidity is present.

Spasms, Convulsions, Etc.

A cramp or sudden involuntary muscular contraction, either single or multiple. A general spasm over the whole body is called convulsion or fit such as occurs in epilepsy. Generally caused by psychological reaction, irritation of nerves that supply the spasmodic muscles. Asthma, angina, colic, tetany, etc. are some spasms.

Calc. Phos. Cramps and convulsions of all kinds; if Mag. Phos. fails.
Ferrum Phos. Convulsions with fever.
Kali Phos. Fits from fear, hysterical spasms with unconsciousness and low muttering delirium.
Nat. Sulph. If history of injury to the head.
Mag. Phos. Cramps, twitchings and spasms. Tetanus, spasmodic stammering.