Homoeopathy — Page 72
Apis Mellifica 72 The salient sign of Apis is that the affected area swells and throbs (as after a bee sting). Apocynum does not exhibit this feature. Sometimes, the swelling of Apis appears in the outer lining of the brain. Typically, the patient feels worse in the heat and feels severe throbbing. A young child cannot express himself and suddenly screams loudly. The doctor should take immediate notice of this sign and administer Apis. Apis also affects the membranous coverings of the heart, lungs and liver. In other words, it works mostly on the coverings rather than these organs themselves. Apocynum, like Apis, also affects the coverings. Both these remedies affect the secretory membranes of the abdomen like those of the intestines or kidneys, which filter the blood and produce urine. In both, the body swelling is soft and pits on pressure. In Apocynum, the swelling (Oedema) may become rather hard. The Apis patient with a kidney disease will show soft baggy swelling below the eyes. If along with this, the kidneys have a throbbing pain, or there is a sign of worsening of symptoms by heat, this is a clear indication of Apis. The affected eyes show severe swelling of the eyelids and Conjuctiva, along with bright redness, a piercing pain in the eye and aggravation of the symptoms by heat. Such a patient will not be able to open his eyes in bright sunlight. In Apis, some signs and symptoms manifest themselves on the right side. On hearing bad news or out of jealousy or sheer dislike, the right side of the body may be paralysed. However, the ailments of the eye and throat begin on the left side and then migrate to the right side (like Lachesis). In Apis, cold water gargles, instead of warm water, relieve the throat discomfort. In Apis, the abdomen (belly) becomes markedly distended with wind or gas , causing spasms below the ribs on the right side and then possibly on the left side also, like a vice. Pressure on the affected area of the belly relieves the discomfort. Apis is the sure-shot remedy if the symptoms aggravate with heat. Apis shows its beneficial effects in ten to fifteen days, however, it starts relieving the distension and spasm of the abdomen immediately after use. In an hour or two, the