Homoeopathy — Page 598
Rhus Tox 598 Rhus Tox works extremely well in the treatment of infantile paralysis (Polio). At first, the child contracts a high fever, which is followed by the gradual onset of paralysis. If someone has previously suffered from polio in early childhood or his leg starts becoming weak, then Rhus Tox should be started without any delay. Rhus Tox works much better when used alternately with Sulphur. Sulphur is also very effective in the treatment of paralytic conditions. Thus, a combination of the two is obviously much more useful. Some polio patients have actually been completely cured with this prescription. Sometimes, the whole body becomes numb for a short while then the numbness disappears automatically. However, if there is any sign of associated weakness, Rhus Tox must be given immediately. It seems to work very well. The gradually progressive paralysis of chronic and profound nature may be treated with Causticum. Causticum is not a remedy for immediate effect only. In Causticum, the process of paralysis sets in early, soon after exposure to the cold. When noticed, the patient feels that the paralysis happened suddenly. Partial or localized paralysis of a few muscles responds better to Causticum. In particular, it has no match with regards to its effectiveness against right-sided facial palsy. Traditionally, Causticum is famous as the ideal remedy for paralysis of the face. In Rhus Tox, the paralysis affects mostly the right side, though its use is not restricted only to the diseases of the right side. Nevertheless, there are some other remedies much stronger and more effective than Rhus Tox for conditions affecting the left side of the body, such as Lachesis and Ledum, which work wonders when given along with Arnica. Additional use of Cadmium Sulph 30, three times a day, makes the prescription even more effective. If there is still no favourable response, then Sulphur and Rhus Tox should be used alternately. The Rhus Tox headache resembles very much the headache accompanying fevers. If the symptoms of the patient resemble one particular remedy, then that remedy alone should be used. If the symptoms are non-specific, then Rhus Tox may often be found useful. Generally speaking, in Rhus Tox the head feels heavy. The headache begins at the forehead and then spreads backwards to the nape.