What is trauma? The Trauma is: 1. A physical injury or wound caused by external force or violence. It may be self-inflicted. The principal types of trauma involved include motor vehicle accidents, falls, burns, gunshot wounds, and drowning. 2. An emotional or psychological shock that may produce disordered feelings or behavior.
The following are the likely RISK FACTORS of trauma:
Weakness; balancing difficulties; reduced large or small muscle coordination; lack of safety education/precautions; cognitive or emotional difficulties; poor vision; reduced temperature and/or tactile sensation; reduced hand/eye coordination; insufficient finances to purchase safety equipment or to effect repairs; history of previous trauma
External risk factors (environmental) [include but is not limited to:]
Slippery floors (e.g., wet or highly waxed); bathtub without hand grip or anti-slip equipment; un-sturdy or absent stair rails; high beds; children playing without gates at top of stairs; inappropriate call-for-aid mechanisms for bed-resting client; snow or ice on stairs, walkways; unanchored rugs; use of unsteady ladder or chairs; entering unlighted rooms; unanchored electric wires; litter or liquid spills on floors or stairways; obstructed passageways; unsafe window protection in homes with young children; pot handles facing toward front of stove; potential igniting of gas leaks; bathing in very hot water (e.g., unsupervised bathing of young children); experimenting with chemicals or gasoline; children playing with matches, candles, cigarettes; highly flammable children?s toys or clothing; overloaded fuse boxes; sliding on coarse bed linen or struggling within bed/chair restraints; contact with acids or alkalis; contact with intense cold; overexposure to sun, sun lamps, radiotherapy; guns or ammunition stored unlocked; children playing with sharp-edged toys; driving a mechanically unsafe vehicle; driving at excessive speeds; children riding in the front seat of car; delayed lighting of gas burner or oven; unscreened fires or heaters; wearing of plastic aprons or flowing clothing around open flame; inadequately stored combustibles or corrosives (e.g., matches, oily rags, lye); contact with rapidly moving machinery, industrial belts, or pulleys; faulty electrical plugs, frayed wires, or defective appliances; playing with fireworks or gunpowder; use of cracked dishware or glasses; knives stored uncovered; large icicles hanging from roof; exposure to dangerous machinery; high-crime neighborhood and vulnerable clients; driving after partaking of alcoholic beverages or drugs; driving without necessary visual aids; smoking in bed or near oxygen; grease waste collected on stoves; unrestrained infants/children riding in car; unsafe road or road-crossing conditions; play or work near vehicle pathways (e.g., driveways, lanes, railroad tracks); overloaded electrical outlets; use of thin or worn pot holders; nonuse or misuse of seat restraints; nonuse or misuse of necessary headgear for motorized cyclists or young children carried on adult bicycles
Traumatic psychosis
Psychosis resulting from physical injuries or emotional shock.
In homoeopathy there are numerous remedies for internal as well as external use, with the help of which the homoeopathic physician can successfully restore the victim of trauma to the normal state of health rapidly and gently provided the injuries are not fatal. In cases of fractures the help of the orthopedic surgeon is necessary to set the broken bones properly and to make the fractured part immovable to keep the broken bones in place. In cases of cuts, torn out skin, lacerated wounds necessary suturing is a must for early recovery. Cleaning and proper dressing of the wounds is also necessary to prevent sepsis.
Dr. Kent has given various remedies under the rubric Injuries in different chapters namely:
Head; Eye; Back; Extremities and Generalities.
Whereas there are many additions in the RADAR Repertory in the above chapters, rubrics for injuries have also been added in other chapters namely:
Mouth; Bladder; Male Genital Organs and Chest.
The selection of the proper remedy is always done on the basis of the indications or as the symptoms of the individual case demand.
In my practice I have always found the homoeopathic remedies work superbly by internal as well as local (external) use of them where needed.
Hereunder I am giving a few cases from my experience.
Case 1. Mrs. U. S. aged 45 years, first consultation on 2-5-1991.
History of the case –
About two months ago she met with an accident in which she got multiple fractures in her left thigh, with a large open wound. She had been under treatment as an indoor patient in a Nursing Home. During these two months her wound did not heal even after the use of the latest antibiotics and the best efforts of the surgeon. Unless the wound heals neither skin grafting could be done nor plaster cast could be applied. So, at this stage one of her relative who is himself an M. D. in Ayurveda and is one of my friends; being well aware of the capabilities of Homoeopathy, came to me. He told me the whole story and asked my help, so that the wound should get dried up soon.
The condition of the patient was as follows:
– A serum like bad smelling matter was discharging in enormous quantity from the wound. It was so enormous that the thick pad of the cotton wool used for dressing used to soak completely within the 24 hours.
– Stitching pain in the anus.
– Daily fever in the afternoon with chills.
2-5-91
– Hypericum 10M, one dose, stat.
Silicea 200, one dose to be given 24 hours after the above.
Placebo every six hours.
4-5-91 The discharge from the wound had reduced much.
– Silicea 200, one dose with placebo 6 hourly.
6-5-91 the discharge from the wound had further reduced.
– Repeated as above.
By 10-5-91 the wound had totally dried up. And as such the surgeon was able to do the skin grafting on 10-5-91.
On 16-5-91 the dressing from the grafting was removed, and to the surprise of the surgeon the grafting had taken very nicely.
Case 2. Master S. aged 12, date of first consultation 30-1-1995.
History of the case:
On 2nd January 1995, the boy fell down while flying kite from the roof of the first floor onto the roof of the ground floor a height of about 10 feet, and immediately became unconscious. He was taken to the nearby hospital. As there was no external injury and the boy was unconscious the case was referred to the Neurologist.
CAT Scanning was done the prognosis was very bad, so, after giving first aid the Neurologist referred the case immediately to a Neurological Research Center and Nursing Home, at Delhi.
The boy was admitted over there on 3rd Jan. ’95 and was kept under intensive care up to 25th Jan. ’95, yet he did gain consciousness. At this stage he was discharged from the Neurological research Center and Nursing Home. His father was told that whatever was possible had been done. It was also made clear to his father that (1) the child may not survive, (2) if he, somehow survives he will be either a maniac or an epileptic.
During his stay at the Nursing Home he developed breathing difficulty and as such tracheotomy was performed and a tracheal tube was fitted to ease the respiration.
The boy developed a paroxysmal cough with much ropy expectoration through the tube. During this nearly one month’s period there was only this much improvement that whenever the boy was coaxed he used to open his mouth, if any eatable was put in his mouth he used to chew it. Now he was being kept at one Nursing Home at Dehra Dun.
On 30th Jan. ’95 my help was sought. Apart from the reaction related above, the boy was totally unconscious.
He had not passed stool in natural manner since the accident – 2nd Jan ’95. His bowels were emptied with the help of clysters two or three times during the past one month.
The boy was under my care for about one year i.e. till he was almost cured. Hereunder I am giving the milestone of his improvement in brief.
30-1-95 – Kali Bich. 200 one dose followed by Alumen 30 six hourly.
31-1-95 His father reported that there is improvement in ropy expectoration. But there is great rattling in his chest so a dose of Antim. Tart. 200 followed by Alumina 30, six hourly was prescribed.
1-2-95 In the night of 31-1-95 he passed a very hard stool with much straining in natural manner, first time since he met with the accident, though remained unconscious.
2-2 95 He passed rather loose stools on 1-2-95 twice. Coughing persisting. On the h/o head injury one dose of Conium 1M was given, as he was putting his hand frequently on his forehead as if there was pain.
There were definite signs of improvement in his responses by now.
7-2-95 Cough and expectoration is better, had fever. Sputum examination revealed presence of Psudomonas bacteria.
24-2-95 Intermittently the boy used to become constipated (no stool for two, three or more days). But Alumen 30 always helped him, after it he used to pass stool.
The cause of the cough and the ropy expectoration was the infection due to the tracheal tube, as diagnosed by the E. N. T. specialist. He removed the tube on 12th. And the episode of cough and expectoration subsided.
Though consciousness was wanting (he still appeared as unconscious) yet he started to respond to various orders.
Meanwhile he was made to sit in the lap of his father, as he was unable to sit on his own. On making him to stand he stoops and lifts his left limb up.
He had no sight.
– Conium 1M, one dose
30-3-95 Regaining senses slowly.
Vision not yet restored but could differentiate between dark and light.
Urination most frequent, day and night.
Sleep less.
Occasional jerking in legs, trembling in right hand.
Now could stand up but staggers.
Twitching in various muscles.
Alimentary functions, normal.
– Arnica 1M one dose
Rhus tox 30 one dose daily
28-4-95 Sight has improved a lot, but could not identify colors.
Has become very talkative, talks irrelevantly, sleep less.
Urination still frequent, but only while awake.
– Hyoscyamus 200 every 3rd day with placebo inter currently six hourly.
26-5-95 Loquacity still persisting.
Staggers while walks, his gait is such as if he is dragged from back while going forward; but now could stand firmly.
A painful bulge is noticed at the occiput.
Concentration still lacking.
Sight steadily improving, but still unable to distinguish colors.
– Arnica 10M one dose. Hyoscyamus 200 continued one dose every 4th day.
8-6-95 Concentration still wanting but on the whole much improved.
Feels fear but cannot explain.
– Aconite nap 1M at long intervals with Placebo.
1-7-95 Now can distinguish colors.
Due to the accident his memory had been badly affected, he is still unable to identify alphabets of Hindi and English both though he was studying in 7th class before the accident. He was taught the alphabets afresh.
Now he feels lameness in his left lower limb on beginning to walk, especially in the morning.
Has become over sensitive to cold.
– Lycopodium 200 at long intervals.
1-8-95 There is over all improvement, even memory is improving, can identify letters better.
Sight much better now.
– Lycopodium 1M, one dose followed by Ruta 200 at long interval.
He went on improving in all respects, occasional medicines for acute troubles like coryza, local pains as and when he complained were given. By the end of 1995 he was almost well, meanwhile Arnica high was given at rare interval.
Now the boy is in perfect health, and continuing his studies well.
Case 3: Fracture of tibia and fibula. Age 55 years. This is my own case, I happen to meet an accident in October, 1998 in which my right tibia and fibula both got broken about 2 inches above the ankle with ruptured skin by the broken ends of the bones. The rt. foot dangled.
For four days I was under the care of an orthopedic surgeon, during that period I took whatever medicines he prescribed. He also asked me to take homoeopathic medicines. On the fourth day he discharged me from the hospital. After that I did not take any painkillers or antibiotics, though I felt severe pain at the site of fracture for about 15 days, which used to increase in the night and as such I passed many of the nights in agony. Rather after my release from the hospital I started taking homoeopathic medicines. I did not keep a record of my own but as I remember I took medicines such as Symphytum 30 and later 200, Arnica 200, Ruta G 200 and Sulphuricum acidum 30 and 200 singularly as the symptoms demanded.
The orthopedic surgeon told me while putting the plaster cast, that such kind fracture is generally bad. But, within three months my leg became perfectly well. I did not feel any kind of trouble at the site of the fracture since then.
Case 4: About 16, 17 years ago a boy five years old, fell down on the stone steps. One of his upper incisors knocked against the steps. Half of it was broken and rest of the tooth was pressed into the gum, there was bleeding also. His father brought him to me. Arnica 200 was given. Pain and bleeding stopped within a short period. Within two days the remaining tooth resumed its normal position and within few days the child was well. The half broken tooth still reminds of the accident. Otherwise the tooth is firm in its socket.
I have found Aconite a very efficacious remedy for recent injuries of the eyes and also for pain after extraction of the teeth.
I happen to see the miraculous effect of Silicea in expelling foreign bodies in two cases where fish-bone got struck at different times in the throats of two girls about eight years old. Both instances occurred in the evening. There was much stitching pain. Silicea 30 relieved the pain within half an hour. What happened of the bone is a mystery, because there was no trace of the bone by next morning.
Now I will quote two cases of mental trauma from my records.
Case 1: About six years ago a 13 yeas old maid was brought to me (the dates are lost in my daily Register). She had been suffering from fever for about a month. The fever used to come in the evening. It was not high fever. Other symptoms were:
Loss of appetite.
Much agitation and fear.
On enquiry it was found that about a month ago an old man died in the evening, in the house where she was employed. She had to stay there for the night, while the dead body was lying in the house. From the very next day she got the fever. I asked her if she was frightened. Her reply was affirmative.
Aconite 200 alone cured her within a few days.
Case 2: Mrs. T. age 36 years. First consultation on 13-7-1993.
For about a year she was suffering from the following symptoms:
Pain in left side of neck, shoulder and scapula, an unusual numbing pain.
A pulsating sensation in the whole head. Pain in the forehead. The pain often used to extend downwards up to the breasts, with a sensation of heaviness and tenderness in them.
Sensation of heat in the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
Menses scanty with dark clots.
Long standing leucorrhoea, yellowish, thick, bland, used to continue throughout the month.
Loss of appetite.
Urination most frequent.
Vertigo.
Melancholic, temperament peevish.
During the past one year her complexion had become dark.
The whole of the trouble was started after fright. Her husband was Captain in the army. One day some of the soldiers of his unit were traveling in a truck from Chakrata (a hill station) to Dehra Dun, the truck met with an accident on the way and fell into a deep hill side. Some of the soldiers died at the spot, and others got seriously injured. Being wife of the Captain she went to the hospital where the injured were admitted and the bodies of the dead were kept. She wanted to console the injured. She also saw the mutilated bodies of the dead soldiers. She was deeply affected and got frightened. The trouble started after this incident and went on increasing in spite of the best medical help for one year.
– Aconite 1M followed by Pulsatilla 30 (few doses).
By 12-8-1993 she was well in all respects, meanwhile a few doses of Aconite 1M were repeated with placebo inter-currently.
The above cases are some examples out of very numerous different cases of trauma I have met during my practice of about forty years and have treated successfully with homoeopathic remedies, these cases belong to bruises, burns, fractures, etc. and mental shock too. Such experience creates confidence in the efficacy of the infinitely small doses of homoeopathic remedies and the law of cure invented by Hahnemann.
“Doon Ratna” Dr. S. K. MAMGAIN Gold Medalist
MAMGAIN HOMOEO CLINIC
218, D. L. ROAD, DEHRA DUN – 248 001 INDIA
Phone No. 91 135 656578
E-mail: drmamgain@vsnl.net