The Science of Therapeutics - Classical Homeopathy Online

Full text of "The Science of Therapeutics: According to the Principles of Homeopath...Page 363 of 653constitutes a disposition to this inflammation, and that an exerta cold or other scarcely apparent circumstances simply act asexciting causes. A connection between this disease and some constitutional affection Cannot be traced with any positive certaintAcute coxarthrocace sets in suddenly even with a violent chill,like all other acute inflammations, with which severe pains areassociated. The patient locates these pains at times in the smallof the back, at other times more in front, very seldom in the hipjoint; they are extremely acute, tearing, burning, stitching, shoing, aggravated by every motion of the lower extremities, notaltogether, and sometimes not at all, relieved by horizontal postAt the same time a high fever accompanies the pains, the pulsebeing not unfrequently upwards of 120; this circumstance distinguishes the disease from lumbago with which it is easily confounded. Amid symptoms of this kind which may becomesufficiently intense to simulate typhus, the following objectivephenomena become manifest in one, two or more weeks: Theaffected hip and the buttock of the same side swell, so that thebetween the nates is much deeper ; the thigh is somewhat rotatedoutwards and slightly drawn up towards the abdomen ; the kneeis half bent; extension and rotation of the thigh are very painfunor can these movements be executed completely. Walking is notentirely impossible, but can only be performed with the greatestpain. It is very seldom that an improvement begins at this point;as a rule an extensive suppuration sets in, amid frequent chillsburning heat of the skin. After this, a short intermission seemsto take place in the further development of the disease, until thabscess reaches the skin and bursts. This may take place posteriolaterally or in front. After the pus is discharsjed, the patientmuch better, and then worse again, provided the suppurationbecomes very profuse and continuous. Upon the whole, the prospect428 Diseases of the Bones, Muscles, and Articulations,of a speedy closure of the cavity is very slim; most generallyfistulous openings result. The articulation itself is variously aaccording as one or the other tissue is most involved. If the infmation was originally located in the bone, this is partially desttogether with the acetabulum, and caries is the result; if the inmation emanates from the fibrous tissues or from the synovialmembrane, the bones may remain intact. Thus the terminationsof the disease are: Very rarely a complete and rapid restoration;long-lasting suppuration with final recovery and a total or partidestruction of the articulation ; long-lasting suppuration with cwhich may end in hectic fever and death. The prognosis is alwaysvery uncertain.Chronic or subacute coxarthrocace presents a very diflferent grouof symptoms. The disease commences with vague symptoms inthe hip-joint resembling rheumatic pains and alternately exacerbaing, remitting, or even intermitting for some time. These painsmay be absent and in their stead the patient mwy only complainof a stiflT joint which is more especially felt during motion. Sepressure on the hip-joint generally causes more or less pain, andthe thigh is usually rotated outwards to some extent as soon as tdisease commences. With such trifling symptoms it may go onfor some time, before more serious changes become manifest. Thehttp://www.archive.org/stream/sciencetherapeu00kafkgoog/sciencetherapeu00kafkgoog_djvu.txt