Homeopathic management of fever with Arsenic album: A case report

Dr Aditi Bhatt

Abstract
Fever is the temporary rise of body temperature. It is a sign of illness or infection that one’s body is undergoing. Homoeopathy has marked results in the management of fever. A 51 year old lady presented with a temperature of 104°F. According to the totality of symptoms the case was repertorised and on the basis of individualization, Arsenicum album was prescribed. The aim of the article is to demonstrate the effectiveness of homoeopathy, (Arsenic album here) in the case of fever.

Keywords : Fever, Temperature, Homoeopathy, Arsenicum album.

Introduction
Normal body temperatures are different for everyone, but the normal body temperature lies within the range of 97 to 99°F. A temperature of 100.4°F or higher is considered as fever. ^[1]

Fever itself is a sign of illness or infection. However one can notice following symptoms during fever: ^[2]

1. Chills or shivering
2. Sweating
3. Headache
4. Muscle pains or bony pains
5. Irritability
6. Lethargy
7. Loss of appetite
8. Dehydration
9. Sleepiness or sleeplessness

A temperature greater than 104 °F can pose serious health concerns hence should be treated immediately. There are many homoeopathic medicines such as Bryonia Alba, Belladonna, Aconite, Pyrogen, Rhustox, China etc for fever. However the best results come when the totality of the case is constructed and based on that the case is individualized.

Case report

Chief complaint

A 51 year old female presented with complaint of high temperature (104. F), since one day. She also took Paracetamol 500 mg twice in an interval of 05 hours, homeopathic remedy Bryonia 200 but did not get much relief.

History of present complaint:

Patient developed the complaints of fever after exposure to dry cold wind while travelling in a car.

Analysis and evaluation of symptoms

Mental general: Patient was restless and anxious due to fever

Physical general:

1. Appetite- Reduced
2. Thirst- warm drinks in small quantity
3. Sleep- disturbed because of temperature
4. Perspiration- reduced

Particulars

1. Fever- continuous
2. Burning heat during fever
3. Heat and burning predominating during fever
4. Headache during fever
5. Dry cough fever during

Totality of symptoms:

1. Fever- Continuous
2. Dry cough fever during
3. Burning heat of body during fever
4. Heaviness of head during fever
5. Desire for warm drinks
6. Perspiration absent during fever

Repertory used– Synthesis 8.1

Repertorial analysis

Prescription: Arsenic album 200

Selection of medicine and potency: After proper repertorization and due consultation with Materia Medica Arsenic album 200 was selected. The dose was selected according to the susceptibility of the patient which remains high during an acute disease as mentioned in Organon of Medicine, 5^th edition. ^[4]

Selection of potency and repetition: As per Organon of Medicine, Aphorism 245- 251, 5th edition in acute diseases the medicine can be repeated in every 24, 12, 8 and 4 or even more frequently as per the need of the case. Hence the patient was advised to repeat the medicine 01 hourly until the complaints get 50- 60% better. ^[4]

Follow up:

Time		Condition		Prescription
After 1 hour		Temperature- 103.F Heat of the body reduced Profuse perspiration Body aches- as it is Headache – present		Arsenic album 200, repeat 01 hourly until the complaints get better 50-60%.
After 1hour		Temperature- 102. F Heat of the body still reducing Perspiration – profuse Body pains better Headache persists		Repeat
After 2 hours		Temperature – 100.F Body aches better Sweating reduced Heat reduced Headache reduced Appetite – Moderate		Placebo was given TDS.
Next day	Temperature – 99.7. F Patient was feeling better in general.		Placebo was prescribed TDS, for 2 days. Patient was advised to take rest today as well. Diet- Light diet was recommended. Patient was also advised to keep herself hydrated with water, juice or coconut water.

Conclusion:  In the above case it can be observed how the individualization in homeopathy can help treat the acute diseases such as fever too. It has to be duly noted while Arsenic album might have helped in the above case of fever it might not help in another unless the case calls for arsenic. The totality of symptoms is the only guide towards the successful recovery of the patient.

References

1. Ansorge R, fever, WebMD, 2020.
2. Fever: Symptoms, treatments, types, and causes”. medicalnewstoday.com. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 22 April2022.
3. Dall, Lawrence; Stanford, James F. (1990). “Fever, Chills, and Night Sweats”. In Walker, H. Kenneth; Hall, W. Dallas; Hurst, J. Willis (ed). Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations(3rd ed.). Boston: But terworths. ISBN 0-409-90077-X. PMID 21250166.
4. Dudgeon R. E, Organon of Medicine, 5^th edition: Indian Books and Periodicals Publishers, 2012.

Dr Aditi Bhatt
PG Scholar, Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy
Shri Guru Nanak Dev Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana