Hysteria / A Case of Sulphur – Dr. Samuel Hahnemann

Julie M. a country girl; 14 years old; not yet menstruated. 12th September, 1842. A month previously she had slept in the sun. Four days after this sleeping in the sun, the frightful idea took possession of her that she saw a wolf, and six days thereafter she felt as if she had received a great blow on the head. She now spoke irrationally, became as if mad, wept much, had sometimes difficulty in breathing; spat white mucus; could not tell any of her sensations. She got Belladonna, [Dr. B. tells us that whenever the dilution is not indicated, it is understood that the 60th dilution was administered.] weakened dynamization, in seven tablespoons of water; of this, after it was shaken, a tablespoonful in a glass of water, and after stirring this, one teaspoonful to be taken in the morning. 16th. – Somewhat quieter; she can blow her nose, which she was unable to during her madness; she still talks as much nonsense, but does not make so many grimaces while talking. She wept much last night. Good motion. Tolerable sleep.

She is still very restless, but was more so before the Belladonna. The white of the eye full of red vessels. She seems to have a pain in the nape of the neck.

From the glass in which one tablespoonful was stirred, one teaspoonful is to be taken and stirred in a second glassful of water, and of this from two to four teaspoonfuls (increasing the dose daily by one teaspoonful) are to be taken in the morning.

20th. – Much better; speaks more rationally; works a little; recognises and names me; and wishes to kiss a lady present. She now begins to shew her amorous propensities; is easily put in a passion, and takes things in bad part; sleeps well; weeps very often; becomes angry about a trifle; eats more than usual; when she comes to her senses she likes to play, but only just as a little child would.

Belladonna, a globule of a higher potency: seven tablespoonfuls shaken in two glasses, 6 teaspoonfuls from the second glass early in the morning. [The meaning of these directions, which is not very obvious, seems to be that the globule shall be dissolved in seven tablespoonfuls of water, and of this a tablespoonful is to be stirred in a second tumbler of water, and from this second glass a teaspoonful is to be given for six successive mornings.]

28th. – On the 22nd, 23d, and 24, very much excited day and night; great lasciviousness in her actions and words; she pulls up her clothes and seeks to touch the genitals of others, she readily gets into a rage and beats everyone.

Hyosciamus X’, seven tablespoonfuls, &c., one tablespoonful in one tumblerful of water; in the morning a teaspoonful.

5th October. For five days she would eat nothing; complains of belly-ache; for the last few days less malicious and less lascivious; stools rather loose; itching all over the body, especially on her genitals; sleep, good.

Sacch. Lactis for seven days, in seven tablespoonfuls, &c.

10th. – On the 7th, fit of excessive anger; she sought to strike everyone. The next day, the 8th, attack of fright and fear, almost like the commencement of her illness (fear of an imaginary wolf;) fear lest she should be burnt. Since then she has becomes quiet, and talks rationally and nothing indecent for the last two days.

Sacch. Lactis, &c.

14th. – Quite good and sensible.

18th. – The same, but severe headache; inclination to sleep by day; not so cheerful.

New sulphur (new dynamization of the smallest material portion) one globule on three tumblers; in the morning one teaspoonful.

22nd. – Very well; very little headache.

Sulphur, the next dynamization in two tumblers.

She went on with the sulphur occasionally until November, at which time she was and still remains a healthy, rational, amiable girl.