Translated for the Homoeopathic Recorder from the Leipziger Pop. Z. F. Hom.
From a thorough article on piles and their treatment in this journal we excerpt the part treating of the treatment, which is as follows:
The Homeopathic practitioner is not infrequently called to see a patient with piles, who does not know what to do for pains. A local examination will generally show as the cause that the turgid veins have been pressed through the sphincter and have become strangulated by its contraction, assuming thence a bluish red appearance. The patient is tormented by an intolerable burning. We should in such a case first of all endeavor to reduce the strangulation, which can be best effected by allowing the patient to bend forward, and while he slowly raises up, the fingers, moistened with oil, should exert a moderate pressure upon the knot, which will then disappear inside the sphincter. There must be no violent means used. After the strangulation has been reduced a cold clyster should be cautiously administered, then a cold sit-bath and a cold ablution of the anus. Internally Arsenicum 3. Should be given, a remedy which always has a brilliant effect. It should always be prescribed where there are burning pains, whether the knotted veins be inside or outside Arsenicum is also useful as it prevents any gangrene of the strangulated parts. When the knots are turgid with blood and the attack is accompanied with violent colicky pains, Belladonna 3. Should in addition be given. Inordinate itching of the knots calls for Nux vom. 3., Sulphur 6. For checking any bleeding that may arise, Hamamelis extract is unexcelled. About ten drops may be taken every half hour or every hour, according to the severity of the case. The extract is said to cure mild cases even by itself, but I have not had any experience to substantiate this. After the applied. We may also remark that the burning pains of internal piles are usually entirely removed by a clyster to which twenty drops of the extract have been added. Mucous piles seldom show burning pains. But they cause a troublesome sensation of pressure. In such cases the alternate use of Carbo vegetabilis and sulphur is advisable. When there are pronounced suppurative products in the stool, there must have been an inexcusable lack of attention. In this case more than in others the most careful cleanliness is called for. Hepar sulph. or Mercurius should be given in such a case. Haemorrhoidala troubles in pregnant women call for Carbo veg. 3 D., in alternation with Arnica 3; Collinsonia may also be required. So far we have chiefly had in view acute cases. in the chronic stage as a rule the same remedies should be applied, only the doses should be repeated at longer intervals. We would state in addition that in the constipation which almost always attends this trouble remedies like Podophyllin I., Plumbum or Opium will generally be required; Lycopodium should also be added to the list of remedies on account of the liver which is apt to be affected at the same time. And in conclusion: There should be a careful attention to the mouth! Haemorrhoidal patients according to the law of polarity usually suffer from carious teeth and a bad odor from the mouth.
