American Journal of Homeopathic Materia Medica 1871 vol 03-04, E. W. Berridge
Case 654.—Mrs. —, Oct. 23, 1870, was confined 14 days ago, of one child. Ever since, when in bed in a dark room at night, there has been a delusion that there is another baby in the bed that requires attention. Had this delusion in a former confinement, and in another, a delusion that she had a third leg which would not remain quiet. For 7 days, single sharp shoots, about twice a day, from the upper dorsal spine into the occiput. Diagnosis: Kali alone has the shooting, and this symptom I can only find in my repertory. The delusion that he is double is found under Stram. (symptom 124) and Petr. (characteristic 63). As the latter also has a delusion that one limb is double, I selected it in preference to Stram, as it corresponded with the Anamnesis. Although Kali corresponded to the latest symptom, I selected Petr. For the first remedy, because it possessed the mental condition, and gave one dose of Petr. 300, (Jenichen.) 31st. No return of the delusion; no more shooting till the 27th, when it returned twice, worse than before, and seemed to fix the head for a moment. Last night, after being frightened, I had a return of the pain, and at the exact moment a shooting in the lumbar spine. Kali 1000 (Jenichen). One dose.
Nov. 15th. Once, being frightened, I had a slight shooting from the neck to the occiput.
Dec. 3d. On two consecutive days, 4 or 5 days ago, after unusual exertion (going up lofty stairs), repeated shooting up into head as before for a minute, but less severe. Has had it slightly at times before. No shooting in the lumbar spine. Kali, one dose.
12th. Has a catarrh. On waking this morning, the delusion returned. Last night, I had a very slight headache. Petr. 3000, one dose.
After this, I did not see her till March 13th, 1871, when she told me she had only had the shouting occasionally, and not so severe.
NOTE. —This is one of these rare cases where two remedies have to be given in alternation, according to a corresponding alternation of symptoms. This is the "alternation" which Hahnemann refers to as sometimes necessary. In several places where he uses the word, he distinctly explains his meaning. Hence, it is evident that he must have used the word "alternation" in the same sense in other passages, even though he did not think it necessary to repeat his explanation. The modern unscientific plan of alternation a priori, or change of medicine without a corresponding change of symptom, is quite different, and is most emphatically repudiated by Hahnemann in the Organon. E. W. BERRIDGE.
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