Homoeopathy — Page 307
Digitalis 307 stop is typical of Digitalis. Digitalis would cure the cough due to heart failure (cardiac dyspnoea). It does not work on the cough arising primarily from lung diseases. Sometimes, the patient wakes up from sleep due to the feeling of suffocation even without any obvious jerking. This means that the sensation of the breathing being about to stop was due to the disturbance of the automatic system of breathing (Herring Breaur reflex). When the respiration rate starts decreasing progressively, the patient must be awakened periodically or he may die in the state of sleep. A progressive slowing down of the breathing is also a sign of the gastric patient. This is due to the build-up of pressure in the stomach, pressing on the diaphragm. The difference is that in a heart patient this condition is constant, while in a gastric patient the condition is occasional and noticed during gastric upset. A feeling of suffocation or choking is also seen in Lachesis, Phosphorus and Carbo Vegetabilis. Unfortunately, the use of Digitalis has been attached to heart disease only, so most physicians do not consider using it for any other kind of ailment. Yet, it is a strong and effective treatment for an enlarged prostate in older age. The enlargement of the prostate at any age has been found to respond well to Sabal Serrulata and Chimaphila in Mother Tincture form. However, this form of treatment should be continued for a long period. Also, Belladonna, Arsenic and Thuja in high potency have also proved to be useful. However, if the prostatic problem is associated with a heart ailment then Digitalis should be the first choice. It makes the prostate gland gradually shrink back to normal size. In fact, very few medicines have the capability of reducing the size of enlarged glands. So, Digitalis should be used in low potency of 30 over a long period. Such conditions that establish and progress gradually will not respond to the high potency but will respond well to lower potency used over a longer period. The potency may, however, be increased later on. In my practice, I have used Digitalis in potency 30. I have not found it necessary to use a higher potency. But, if the original relief offered by Digitalis 30 has stopped, it should be tried in higher potency. Loss of appetite and intense thirst are peculiar to Digitalis. Sometimes, as in Colchicum, even the smell of food may suppress the appetite altogether, yet in Digitalis, unlike Colchicum, there is no vomiting or tendency to become unconscious. The thirst flares up while the appetite gradually disappears. This symptom is common in