Theorie: Unterdrückung/suppression.

[Herbert Alfred Roberts, M.D./Presented by Sylvain Cazalet]

Dealing with suppressions in children.

The problem of suppressions is unquestionably the hardest with which we have to deal. As we look over the medical records of a period of years, we realize that medical problems do change in many aspects ; those of a century or more ago had unsanitary and unhygienic conditions as their greatest factor. Authors of that day record cases in which simple lack of cleanliness gave objective symptoms of the gravest type; these are not possible now with the supervision exercised by the public schools.

Our problem of the present day is suppression of excretory functions, suppression of natural symptomatic manifestations. Suppressions of the symptomatic manifestations usually come first, and thus early in life symptoms become masked, if not entirely suppressed, and the guideposts to curative prescribing are destroyed or so misplaced as to be far less valuable.

If we recognize these suppressions we may be able to unlock the conditions. Of course, the vital force overcomes even these impediments to some degree, and the impress of the thwarted energy becomes a part of the constitutional state; so the earlier we can set about the restoration of natural expressions the better for our patient. When we speak of unfolding the case and the reappearance of old symptoms we realize we are considering the elements of this problem of lifelong suppressions Here we need careful prescribing.

[Dr C. B. Knerr]

Our repertories give us some help for these conditions, although for such as have become a part of the constitution of the patient, the constitutional remedy as manifested by his symptoms is probably our surest guide.

Nevertheless, especially for the earlier manifestations, we find many valuable hints for our assistance. Let us consider briefly the material in Knerr's Repertory, and while we do so, let us give thanks that this valuable work

has been restored to us in a new edition.

Sulph. at the head of our remedies useful in suppressions; perhaps Puls. ranks second in importance, particularly for chronic work. Apis holds an important place for attacks on the brain following suppressions. Because one

of the earliest suppressions impressed upon children is directed toward eruptions of every nature, let us look at the list compiled by" Knerr from Hering's Guiding Symptoms :

Sulphur: Throbbing headache; vertigo; amaurosis, amblyopia and many other eye troubles; deafness from suppressed measles; chronic laryngitis; typhoid symptoms after suppressed measles; Asthma (from suppressed itch); asthma # psoriasis; convulsions; paralysis; glandular affections from scarlatina.

Apis: Inflammation of the brain. Hydrocephalus after suppressed eruptions in general and after scarlatina; shortness of breath; asthma from suppressed urticaria.

Puls.: Asthma from suppressed rash in children. From suppressed urticaria, from suppressed eruptions in general: pains in ears after scarlatina; Deafness after measles: Typhoid symptoms after suppressed measles.

Ars.: Pericarditis after suppressed measles; asthma from suppressed itch or from suppressed eruptions in general; typhoid symptoms after measles.

Rhus-t.: Suffocation in suppressed urticaria; glandular affections, especially swelling of the parotids, after scarlatina; chorea after suppressed measles.

Zinc-met.: Mania; loss of sensation; chorea; convulsions; somnambulism.

Calc.: Caries of bones of the ear after scarlatina; glandular affections and swelling of the parotids; palpitation; Epilepsy.

Carb-v.: Typhoid Symptoms after Suppressed Measles; asthma.

Ip.: Asthma from suppressed eruptions in general or from suppressed miliary rash.

Ant-c.: Headache; convulsions.

Other remedies we find noted for the suppression of eruptions and the conditions in which they were indicated, are :

Convulsions: Camph., Stram.

epilepsy.: Agar. Caust.

Headaches: Graph. Nux-m.

Paralysis: Dulc.

Cerebral troubles: Cic.

Diarrhœa: Hyos. Urt-u.

Dyspnœa with receding rash: Bry.

Asthma: Verat. from suppression of acute rash.

Æon. from disappearance of herpes in face,

Dulc.: suppressed itch,

Ferr-met.: from suppression of erysipelas,

Ptel.: from suppressed eczema after vaccination.

Ammc.

Sweat suppressed: Bry. and Rhus-t. do in cases where sweat is suppressed by a sudden dash into cold water, as children love to do on warm days. When spinal meningitis follows: Acon;

Otitis: Cact.;

Pneumonia: Gels.

Paralysis: Colch.

Toothache: Cham. Rhus-t. Sil.;

Diarrhœa: Æon. Cham.

Diarrhœa of children, suppressed by crude drugging: Op. Zinc-met.

And what of the suppressions from the modern methods of preventive medicine (= inoculation?): Puls. Phos. Sulph. and occasionally the nosodes, particularly Psor.

For the constitutional effects of vaccination we have long depended upon Thuja and Sil.; consider Phos. also; and in the nosode group especially Maland., Vaccininum and Vario.

We have taken into consideration only a few of the suppressions to which children are subject; we have not thought of those children who from earliest childhood are given paregoric [= camphorated tincture of opium, also

known as tinctura opii camphorate = Ritalin-ähnlich?], is a medication known for its antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic properties.) to quiet them, or those children who are ruled by fear to the complete suppression

of their natural mental and emotional development. In either of these conditions we must not forget Opium, which by its potentization and homœopathicity becomes anti-suppressive.

Nor do we limit ourselves to the suggestions noted for our selection of the simillimum. In any case the outlines of the case provide us with guidance to greater or less extent; but if we understand the underlying cause we

often arrive more surely at the proper remedy. There is one red thread running through all these records-the personality of the remedy and its peculiar applicability in certain symptomatic groups. For instance, note the places

where Zinc-met. has been found peculiarly appropriate in releasing suppressions; these touch, almost invariably, nervous imbalance.

Apis has its characteristic congestion and inflammation.

Sulphur expresses itself widely in its characteristic breadth of psoric manifestations.

Nux-v. often useful in suppressions, but usually in older people where there is more mental strain from business affairs, or where the suppressions are due to much crude dosing or the use of alcohol or narcotics.

Except as an occasional measure we rarely see the indications for Nux-v. in the suppression of small children.

Carb-v. may be indicated after suppressions in very small children where dissolution threatens with the characteristic Carb-v. symptoms; into this field of impending collapse that may follow suppressions in frail children

we may find Ars. or Camph. useful.

Needless to say, where the indications for a remedy are clearly marked, that remedy is indicated beyond any doubt, regardless of its pathological setting or the causes that led up to the present symptomatology; we can only

point out that the remedies mentioned here have been successfully used, by virtue of their own individual characteristics, in like conditions. He who knows his materia medica best is best fitted to untangle these conditions.

We can only point out the truth that homœopathy is the best method to deal with these suppressions in children.

Vorwort/Suchen. Zeichen/Abkürzungen. Impressum.