Naphthalin

ORIGIN--A chemical compound procured from coal, alcohol, ether vapor,

etc.



PREPARATION.--Trituration of the pure naphthalin.



(Two clinical cases illustrating the use of Naphthalin.

The first is by Dr. W. L. Hartman, in Transaction of the

Homoeopathic Medical Society of New York, 1896.)



In treating children we are often disappointed in our results; in making

prescriptions we think we have just the right thing in the right place,

but when we come to see our case again we are confronted with the same

condition that we had before. We may say the same in adults, but not so

often. In whooping cough in the very young who are unable to tell us how

they feel we must rely on what the mother may tell us; but how often do

we find mothers who cannot tell their own symptoms, let alone those of

their children? Now, what do we do? Sit and look wise and guess at our

prescriptions while we hear the little fellow coughing, in fact trying

to cough his head off and at the same time lose his breath.



Well, now while you are thinking and looking wise in this case, just

think of Naphthalin and give a tablet triturate of the 1x every two

hours, and when you are consulted the next time you will not be annoyed

with the dreadful choking spell. Now in prescribing this remedy it is

not necessary to wait until the child chokes to death with the cough,

but give it from the first and you will be surprised how it will cut the

disease short. I do not know as I have ever given this remedy without

receiving benefit, and in many cases it was unnecessary to give any

other remedy to cure the case; if it is, Drosera will follow best.



The grand characteristic of this remedy is long and continued paroxysms

of coughing, unable to get a respiration, sometimes so violent as to

cause perspiration.



This remedy is not only good in whooping cough, but in any condition

where you get the above symptoms Naphthalin will cure your case just

the same. Now my experience with this remedy where I have prescribed

above the 1x has been very unsatisfactory, so, of late, I only use the

one potency.



(The other by Dr. W. A. Weaver in Hahnemannian Monthly,

1898.)



My experience with Naphthalin in whooping cough is as yet limited, but

the results obtained have very much exceeded other remedies and I wish

to cite a few cases in which the alleviation of the symptoms was soon

appreciable.



CASE I.--Francis----, a boy of 9 months, with a severe bronchitis as a

complication. The breathing was labored. The respiratory murmur was

feeble and a large number of sibilant and sonorous rales were heard,

when I was called to see the case. The child had become emaciated, had a

cyanotic appearance, was unable to retain food for any length of time,

because of the frequent paroxysms accompanied by vomiting, and was very

much exhausted. Later, the moist rales became very prominent over the

entire chest. The paroxysms were of great length, and accompanying was a

free discharge of thick, tenacious mucus from the nose and mouth. Many

of the favorite remedies employed in this disease were prescribed, but

with little effect. Naphthalin was then given, four or five drops of

the tincture in one-half glass of water. In a short time the paroxysms

were lessened in severity and frequency, the expectoration was freer,

the number of rales were lessened, and shortly convalescence was well

established.



CASE II.--John----, 3-1/2 years, with an accompanying bronchitis.

Symptoms worse at night. Paroxysms very long and severe; would hold his

head to relieve the pain from coughing. Great difficulty experienced in

breathing. A number of rales heard over portion of the chest, with

little expectoration. After Naphthalin had been given for a short time

improvement began, and terminated without further complications.



CASE III.--Patrick----, a man 23 years of age, large physique and

healthy appearance, contracted pertussis from other members of the

family, and, although not accompanied by the whoop, the paroxysms were

very severe. They were not frequent during the day but many during the

night. He would wake the entire house by coughing and would become

purple in the face. He had been suffering a week or two before I saw

him. I prescribed Drosera, Corrallium rub., Ipecac and

Hyoscyamus, without appreciable improvement. He gradually grew worse

until Naphthalin 1x in pellets was given. The spasmodic condition was

relieved very shortly, and although the cough remained for a short time

it never became severe and soon entirely disappeared.