A bruise is an injury
caused by a blow from or a collision with a blunt object, resulting into damage
to the soft tissues beneath the skin. Here, the skin remains intact and
unbroken, but the underlying tissues and blood capillaries are injured causing extravasations
of blood into the tissues. There is swelling, pain (sort of sore, beaten
feeling) and a blue-black discoloration of the affected part.
The possibility of serious
damage to internal organs (in, case of blow on the head, the chest or the
abdomen) or of internal bleeding must be considered, even though there is
little sign of injury on the surface. An increased pulse-rate, distressed
breathing, sever vomiting or progressive deterioration in the general condition
are danger signals warranting urgent skilled attention or hospitalization.
When treating a bruise,
the remedy that should spring to the mind first, is Arnica. Arnica Montana is
prepared from a plant called the ‘leopard’s bane’ that grows wild in the
mountains. It is observed that if a sheep or a goat falls down the hillside and
hurts itself, it instinctively nibbles the leave of this plant. Dr, Hahnemann
was the first to test Arnica scientifically. While proving the remedy,
volunteer’s reported a sore, bruised feeling in the body, as if after a bad
fall and a sensation of ‘shock’. According to the law of similar, the symptoms
that Arnica produces in health people are the symptoms that Arnica can cure.
Therefore, when treating a
bruise, immediately give a dose of Arnica
200 to overcome shock and initiate healing. Therefore, give Arnica 30 every fifteen minutes (for
very severe pain) or every three to four hours (for moderate pain) till
considerable improvement occurs.
If the pain is very severe
or if it shoots upwards (as happens when never-rich parts like fingers, toes or
the spine are injured), Arnica may be replaced by Hypericum 30, Herpericum, called the Arnica of nerves, is prepared
from a plant called St.John’s wort.
If there seems to be an
undue delay in the disappearance of the bruise and, especially, if the injured
part remains cold and numb, it would be a good plan to change to Ledum 30, thrice a day. You can be
doubly sure of Ledum’s correctness if cold applications to the affected part
seem to relieve considerably.
In case of a blunt injury
to the eye, again Arnica helps. Alternatively, Aconite 30 (called the Arnica of the eye) can be used. However,
many eminent doctors have suggested Symphytum, Hypericum or Ledum for
eye-injuries. How do we choose from these remedies? If there is injury to the
eyeball from a tennis ball, or an infant sticking its fist into the mother’s
eye, give Symphytum 30. If the
injury, however, is immediately above or below the eye ( causing a black-eye)
give Arnica 30. Ledum is
distinguished by ‘better from cold-applications’ and Hypericum 30 is for the injury that is excessively painful.
In this motorised age,
blunt injuries to the head are becoming increasingly common. Any head injury
must be taken seriously, even if after such an injury the patient has been able
to walk or seemingly has no complaints. Headaches, bouts of vomiting or
inexplicable changes in pulse, breathing, behaviour or consciousness, could be
the signs of injury to the brain or blood-vessels in the skull. This is an
emergency calling for skilled medical or surgical intervention.
Immediately following a
head injury, whether the parson is conscious or not, give Arnica 200. Thereafter, give Arnica
30 every 30 minutes. Five to six such doses should help the person a lot.
If there is mental confusion and other signs of a disorder of the brain (viz.
rigidity of give Cicuts 30 every two
hours till relief is obtained or further specializes help is available.
Should headache or other
symptoms persist, give Netrum
sulphuricum 30, A few doses of this remedy may clear up symptoms and
restore well-being in a surprising way.
