moving in the deeper tissues, no fever; and for axillary glands when the swelling is very deep
- ▸and hard.
- ▸Farrington gives as distinctive indications for Rh.
- ▸rad.
- ▸; Occipital headache with
rheumatic stiffness of nape. Drawing tearing pains in legs. Pleurodynia when the pains shoot into
- ▸the shoulders.
- ▸Mahony (M.
- ▸A.
- ▸, xxvi.
- ▸109) reports a case of eczema on perineum and scrotum
with sweat in cleft of nates, both relieved in a week with Rh. rad. 12, twice daily—Hahnemann
quickly perceived the keynote of the Rhus symptoms: "We observe," he says, in his preface to
the proving, "this curious action (which is found in few other medicines, and in these never to
such a great degree), viz., the severest symptoms and sufferings are excited when the body or the
limb is at rest, and kept as much as possible without movement. The opposite of this, namely, an
increase of the symptoms by movement, is much more rarely, observed." He contrasts Rhus with
Bry., which has almost identical rheumatic pains with the opposite Conditions. Neidhard adds a
note in Hempel's Jahr which brings out a modification of this "< by rest" which is of the greatest
practical importance, as I can testify. Neidhard says that the disease in which he has made most
use of Rhus is a form of rheumatism common in North America, and characterised by the
following symptoms: "Rigidity, paralytic weakness of the joints, with stinging pain along the
tendons and muscles. Swelling and redness on or near the joints. Rheumatism of the hip-joint
and wrist seem to be most effectually controlled by its action. The greatest rigidity and pain is
experienced on first moving the joints after rest, and on waking up in the morning. After the
joints are moved for a while the pain is lessened." Contrasted with Bry., Rhus has: "The more he
moves the > he is"; whereas Bry. has "The more he moves the < he is." It is necessary to bear in
mind this distinction or a wrong prescription will often be made. Rhus has not only < during rest,
but < after resting also. However, Rhus and Bry. complement each other: it is not unusual for the
Conditions of a case to change under one of these remedies, and then the other will be required.
Hahnemann says "these two antagonistic sister remedies "—each in its place—successfully met
the typhus which prevailed in the countries desolated by the war which raged from the summer
of 1813 and onwards. Of 183 cases treated by Hahnemann in Leipzig not one died. This
restlessness of Rhus will be found to qualify the symptoms in a large proportion of the cases in
- ▸which it will be called for.
- ▸It is as restless as Acon.
- ▸and Ars.
- ▸, but in a different way from either.
With Rhus it is due to the pain and soreness temporarily > by movement; or a nervous internal
uneasiness which makes the patient want to be on the move when there is no particular pain
present (Nash). The presence of restlessness is a leading indication for Rhus in fevers, typhoid
and other. Other indications are—clouded sensorium, stupefaction, muttering delirium, dry
tongue. The characteristic tongue of Rhus is dry or dark coated, with triangular red tip. In
intermittents a characteristic is "Cough during the chill." Hahnemann pointed out another
keynote of Rhus: "Multiplied experience has taught me that Rhus is the most efficacious and the
specific remedy for the frequently fatal effects of over-lifting, inordinate exertions of the
muscles, and contusions." He was, of course, led to this inference by the "bruised and sprain-like
pains" and "stiffness" of the provings. Rus is in the front rank of vulneraries. It meets threatened
abortion from a sprain; and also prolonged after-pains and other effects of the strain of a severe
labour; axillary abscess from this cause has been cured with Rhus. Straining, rheumatic coughs.
Ailments from straining a single part, muscle, or tendon; over-lifting, particularly from stretching
high up to reach things. There is an analogy to this in the dreams—dreams of great exertion:
rowing, swimming, working hard at his daily occupation. Rhus has cured many forms of
paralysis: Rheumatic paraplegia from getting wet, lying on damp ground; sleeping in damp
sheets; after exertion; after parturition, sexual excess, or fevers. Ptosis. Paralysis of single limbs.
Numbness of parts paralysed. Facial neuralgia, lumbago, and sciatica (esp. of left side), with