PILES (HEMORRHOIDS)

This disease is frequently caused by sedentary and indolent habits, and by occupations which confine to the sitting position. Sitting on cushions favours the development of piles by heating the parts. High-seasoned food, stimulating and fermented drinks and cathartic remedies are also among the causes which give rise to this affection.

Symptoms

A sensation of fullness, heat, and perhaps itching is felt about the anus, caused in the great measure by the dilatation of the veins of the lower part of the intestine or rectum, and in the anus or external passage. The swelling increases until small tumors from which are sore and painful. These may be external and visible or internal, and are often of a bluish color, and when inflamed they are very sore and painful to the touch. There is frequently a discharge of bold, especially from internal piles, and such discharges often return repeatedly until a habit is established, and there is a feeling of fullness before and relief after such discharges. 

Treatment

If there are much inflammation, heat, pain, soreness, and fever, give Aconite once in two hours until these symptoms are relived. If there is hemorrhage give Nitric acid once in two hours until it is relived, and then give a dose every morning and dose of Nux vom. Every night for two weeks, after which give Nux vom. At night and Sulphur in the morning. These two remedies may be continued for several months. If not withstanding the above remedies hemorrhage returns a dose of Calcarea carb. Given night and morning for a few weeks will rarely fail to relive this symptom, and also to benefit the piles. If the flow of blood is very profuse give a dose of Ipecac every hour until it is relieved. If there is no hemorrhage and the patient is either of sedentary habits or a high liver, give Nux vom. At night and Sulphur in the morning. With females Pulsatilla sometimes dose better then Nux vom. In obstinate cases if the piles are bluish and there is burning in them, give Carbo veg night and morning.

If the patient expects a permanent cure of this disease, he must shun the causes which have produced it, or he can never obtain anything more than palliative relief from the best remedies. He must shun all stimulating drinks and spices, use brown bread, and but little meat, and eat temperately, and take active out-door exercise. Lie with the face downward, and sustain the weight of the body by the elbows and toes, resting on a sofa or bed, for a few moments, and then slowly raise the hips and lower them five or six times; this tends to relive the congestion of the veins about the anus, and if repeated two or three times a day, but also fore felling of the bowels, as well as for failing of the womb.