Homoeopathy — Page 675
Zincum Metallicum 675 ZINCUM METALLICUM (Zinc) Zinc is a very important neurotropic remedy (i. e. the one that works on the nervous system). It seems to be the best remedy for patients who have become mentally exhausted due to chronic illnesses, and whose body has been rendered incapable of reacting to bring diseases out to the surface. During an epidemic of infectious diseases like measles and smallpox, the appearance of skin signs, such as rashes, helps the diagnosis. In a patient of Zinc, these signs fail to appear on the skin, although the disease process has already afflicted the body internally. The homoeopathic form of Zinc helps to project these diagnostic skin signs. During paralytic conditions of chronic and resistant nature, when the patient is treated with Zinc, it will set up a state of neurological provocation and reaction showing that the body is being prepared for a defensive stance. Zinc helps to express the suppressed symptoms and signs of diseases, infectious as well as neurological. This reaction is absolutely necessary to save the patient’s life but may be extremely disturbing to him. In case Zinc needs to be administered to provoke the mind and body reactions, the patient must be warned beforehand. Dr. Kent has devised a humorous story about Zinc. He has suggested that a homoeopathic doctor should visit a Zinc patient who has paralysis, very fast on horseback and then also return equally as fast after giving him the treatment. The reason for this is that since Zinc provokes an immediate brisk tingling response so swiftly that the relatives of the patient might think that the doctor has poisoned the patient and rush to attack the doctor. After this abrupt tingling, the nerves begin to recover and the paralysis disappears. Then the relatives will run to thank the doctor. I have also Zinc on such patients. The patients did evidently show a brisk response though not of the severity described by Dr. Kent. As a matter of principle, I warn my patients that the severe nervous response is the first sign of the cure to follow.