Kent's cases 61: Paralized in infancy Phosphorus

Miss N., aged 19, was paralyzed in infancy, from
which she partially recovered. The arm is normal but the lower limb is
small and weak in the joints.
Face flushed, body well nourished, short and
stout. Has suffered mentally and was placed in an insane asylum for many
months.
Came out heart-broken and feeble-minded.
Extremely excitable and full of apprehensions. If she talks or sings much
she becomes hoarse.
Catarrhal symptoms of nose and pharynx;
constant accumulation of mucus in pharynx and larynx. Often there is
dryness and sense of burning in nose when inhaling air. Sense of soreness
deep in ears, left worse.
Constantly taking cold. Throat symptoms worse
mornings, much mucus tasting sweetish. Menstruation ceased for four
months, but has returned recently. Leucorrhoea like white of egg before
menses.
Slight exertion causes her to become heated up
all over, increasing the redness of the face, and the ebulitions. Slight
excitement is followed by wakefulness. Cold, sweaty feet, sometimes a
little offensive.
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Her mental symptoms come on after the
excitement of the theatre and she becomes sleepless; then full of fear,
especially at the piano; was constantly on the lookout for something to
happen.
The symptoms during her insane months not
obtainable. Since she has been with her family she has heard voices
constantly. Very hot head and face and wakeful nights.
Watching the case for several weeks without
medicine, developed further symptoms:
Leucorrhoea instead of menses; craves spices,
something salty. Two hard corns painful, the pain nauseates her; shooting
pain in the abdomen comes with the desire to urinate, urging to urinate, but
the urine does not flow; she feels as though her limbs are separated from
the body; no feeling below waist line; sour eructations; sensations as
though her warm feet were cold. Violent sexual dreams and sexual
excitement.
Sensitive to cold. She feels that she is going to be
taken back to the asylum.
Phosphorus 45m. one dose, cured every symptom
in six weeks.