| Article by C.F.M. in the Homoeopathic
Recorder, November, 1889, Vol. IV, No. 6, page 257.
Lumbago - In reading in one of the foreign journals,
some time ago, an article upon the treatment of lumbago, I was astonished
not to find Oxalic acid among the remedies to be considered in that
disease, as striking cases calling for this remedy seem more or
less common, at least in this region. The following clinical case
presents the peculiarities of the drug:
Mrs. S., age about 55, suffered for several days
from an excruciating attack of lumbago. Her physician [homoeopathic]
had about exhausted his knowledge of applicable remedies in her
behalf. On the fifth day I was called by telegraph [being then in
New York City], and on arrival found her presenting the following
symptoms, and taking Rhus tox.: Terrible pain in the lumbar region,
extending down the thighs and over the region of both kidneys; extremely
anxious to change position frequently, but the slightest movement,
assisted or unassisted, caused her to shriek out in agony; frequent
desire to pass large amounts of urine, but the pain on moving was
so great that she would shrink from the attempt; legs numb and very
weak and cold; pulse rapid; short, distressed breathing in general,
though at times there were intervals of easier respiration; appetite
normal, though swallowing was difficult and painful.
ANALYSIS:
BACK; PAIN; General; lumbar region, lumbago;
extending to; legs, down the (K909, G764)
BACK; PAIN; General; lumbar region, lumbago;
extending to; kidneys, region of
BACK; PAIN; General; motion, on; agg. (K896,
G755)
Weakness X numbness X coldness
of lower limbs
Swallowing difficult X pain swallowing
on:
FOLLOW-UP:
I (C.F.M.) prescribed Oxalic acid 30th in half-hour doses,
and had the pleasure of hearing that two hours afterward she could
be placed upon the vessel with very little pain. She sat up twelve
hours after, and in twenty-four hours was entirely relieved.
DISCUSSION:
Out of interest we repertorized this case
using the rubrics mentioned above. Almost all important remedies
for Lumbago were included in them! Oxalic acid was present in all
the rubrics as well even after crossing large rubrics with elimination.
The deciding symptom and rubric in favour of Oxalic acid must have
been:
BACK; PAIN; General; lumbar region, lumbago;
extending to; kidneys, region of: ferr-i., ox-ac., ozone
There are only 3 remedies included in this
rubric in the Complete repertory.
From the Materia Medica, here are some excerpts
that confirm the clinical picture of this lumbago.
Phatak states:
The patient becomes weak, cold, livid and
numb all over worse lower limbs. Excruciating pains; like lightning;
in streaks; in spots; burning, etc. Symptoms worse by motion and
thinking of them, not only that, but thinking will bring on the
conditions when they are not actually present.
Vermeullen's Concordant states:
Back
Pains start from spine and through extremities.
Multiple cerebral and posterior spinal sclerosis. Numb pricking
in back. Back feels too weak to hold the body; weakness in loins
and hips, lower extremities. Cold creeps up spine. Bruised sensation
from the shoulders to the hips and in the extremities. Pain under
point of scapula, between shoulders, loins; bruised sensation, aggravated
beneath tip of left scapula, & stiffness. Acute pain in back,
gradually extending down the thighs, & great torture; seeks
relief in change of posture. Benumbing pains in back, > after
stool.
Urinary
Frequent and copious; urine clear, straw-coloured.
Burning in urethra [as from acrid drops] and pain in glans when
urinating. Must urinate when thinking of it. Oxaluria; & pyrosis,
pains in back and extremities, weakness. Pain in region of kidneys. |