Diphtherinum
By Adolph von Lippe — Keynotes and Red Line Symptoms of the Materia Medica
Common name: diphtheritic virus (or the toxin produced by the klebs-loeffler bacillus).
The attack from the onset tends to malignancy (Lac-C., Merc-Cy.) (A.).
Weak and restless, but without pain (B.).
Yellow, thick, nasal discharge (B.).
Talks in sleep with open eyes (B.).
Jerking of single parts (B.).
Dark-red swelling of the tonsils and palatine arches; parotid and cervical glands greatly swollen; breath and discharges from the throat, nose and mouth very offensive; tongue swollen, very red, little coating. (A.).
Breath horribly offensive (Ars., Carb-V., Merc., Mur-Ac., Nit-Ac., Phos., Sulph.) (A.).
Diphtheritic membrane, thick, dark gray or brownish black; temperature low or sub-normal; pulse weak and rapid; extremities cold and marked debility; patient lies in a semi-stupid condition; eyes dull, besotted (Apis, Bapt.) (A.).
Swallows without pain but, fluids are vomited or returned by the nose (Gels., Kali-P., Lach.) (A.).
Epistaxis or profound prostration from very onset of attack (All-C., Apis, Carb-Ac.) (A.).
Laryngeal diphtheria (Chlor., Kali-B., Lac-C.).
Sopor or stupor, but easily aroused when spoken to (Bapt., Sulph.) (A.).
Post-diphtheritic paralysis (Gels., Lach., Mur-Ac.)(B.).
Fluids are returned by the nose.
When the patient from the first seems doomed, and the most carefully selected remedies fail to relieve or permanently improve.
RELATIONSHIP: Similar to Ars., Bapt., Brom., Carb-Ac., Caust., Chlor., Gels., Lach., Mur-Ae., Phos., Sulph.