Frostbite

When frostbite is intense it causes death of part, leaving an ulcerating surface, which must be treated as other ulcers. When it is less intense it causes a low kind of inflammation, of which chilblain is a familiar form.

General Treatment.–When a part becomes frozen, as the tip of the nose or ears, great care must be taken not to let the person go near a fire. The frozen part should be rubbed with snow until it thaws and becomes quite soft.

Chilblains may be treated by rubbing with snow or bathing in cold water. Among other applications that are useful is painting with strong tincture of Veratrum viride, or Tamus communis or Rhus tox., or with coal oil (petroleum) in which camphor has been dissolved. For broken chilblains a lotion of Veratrum v.0 (one part to two of water) should be applied as a compress. When ulcerated, Calendula ointment.

Medicines.–(Every hour or two.)

Agaricus 3.–

Simple chilblains.

Pulsatilla 3.–

In blonde girls, with scanty or delayed menstruation.

Rhus t. 3.–

Dusky red chilblains, with much burning.

Arsen. 3.–

Acute burning pains; irritable, ill-conditioned ulcers.

John Henry Clarke

John Henry Clarke MD (1853 – November 24, 1931 was a prominent English classical homeopath. Dr. Clarke was a busy practitioner. As a physician he not only had his own clinic in Piccadilly, London, but he also was a consultant at the London Homeopathic Hospital and researched into new remedies — nosodes. For many years, he was the editor of The Homeopathic World. He wrote many books, his best known were Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica and Repertory of Materia Medica