The so-called Electric Chorea of Henoch-Bergeron cured with Homoeopathy
By Dr Charrete

This is a condition of chronic “shock Chorea”, gradually getting worse after one year of multiple treatments. Mlle de la X. was nineteen years old, remarkably pretty and healthy before her accident. Taking her daily ride her horse was frightened at the sudden appearance of a wagon-load of mountebanks coming out of a side road in the forest. Excellent horsewoman, she was able to retain her seat. The maddened horse only just escaped plunging into a deep stone quarry. On arriving home the girl gave way to hysterical tears. The menses, due next day, were suppressed, missing their normal routine for the first time, and spasms of the facial muscles, fingers and toes appeared. These convulsions were accompanied by displacements of the parts affected, which were rhythmical, as if governed by an electric current, and all groups of muscles contracted synchronically. One had here the characteristics of the “electric Chorea of Henoch-Bergeron”. I noted that the head was drawn over the left shoulder, at the same time that corner of the mouth was drawn down.  The fingers and toes were alternately flexed and extended. All movements were aggravated by the least noise, and all symptoms disappeared during sleep.

Many doctors had already been consulted in neighbouring towns and at Paris, but all treatments, including douches, bromides, valerian and hypnotism had been in vain.

Mme la Marquise de la X. accompanied her daughter, explaining and excusing herself that she had no faith in Homeopathy, because a homeopath who had been called to the bedside of her husband, stricken with a cerebral haemorrhage, had not prevented his death. Further, she had already tried a homeopath for her daughter, who had failed to help her. In brief, I assured her that “faith” was not necessary, but she must obey my directions, easy to observe, since the pills or liquids would have no taste.

I passed on to examine the patient carefully. The paternal apoplexy directed my first investigations towards a possible heredity. I found no sign, but this is not a reason, I know well, to reject this idea absolutely, and if my carefully chosen remedy does not cure, I shall try a dose of Luesinum.

The personal history revealed absolutely nothing. Health always perfect, said the mother. Menses at fourteen, very regular, and without pain. If I get no further symptoms than I have already obtained, I shall be perplexed.

Very numerous are the Homeopathic remedies for “spasms” and “convulsive” movements: Absinthum, Belladonna, Aconitum, Opium, Cuprum, Nux vomica, Veratrum viride, Cicuta virosa, Ignatia, Hyoscyamus, Stramonium and Zincum, to name only the principle ones which came to my memory.

Spasms which appear after an emotion, and particularly a “fright”, suggested more especially Aconitum, Actea racemosa (also called Cimicifuga), Opium and Ignatia. Actea rac. And Ignatia suit better the female sex, and particularly so when there is amenorrhoea. Such are the remedies which dance “la sarabande” (a slow Spanish measure) in the brain of a homeopath searching carefully for an exact prescription, so rich is our incomparable Materia Medica.

The whole art consists of, from amongst all the remedies, to determine which one matches exactly (Similia) with the disease symptoms. It is another procedure to prescribe any “anti-spasmodic”, generally the first skillfully advertised patent medicine which comes to my mind.

To select the Simillimum (curative remedy) I only know of one method, and this is to make a complete analysis of all the patient’s symptoms, pen in hand, without neglecting a single symptom, physical or psychic, however insignificant it may appear at first sight.

The examination of the nervous system, other than the choreic movements described, only exhibited some general increase of the reflexes, more accentuated on the left side, and violent headaches, which were said to mount from the neck, with lancinating neuralgic pains above the eyes. The digestive system only showed some pains in the left stomach area, aggravated by warm drinks; some neuralgic pains in left groin.

In the genital sphere there was nothing except the amenorrhoea, with increased choreic movements at the dates when the epocs were normally due. Here, then, were all the “particulars” I was able to gather. They were very insufficient, on which to base a prescription, and left me in perplexity.

Opportunely, the patient at this moment added: “I feel sometimes my stomach is strongly drawn against my spine.” (!!)

Three Homeopathic remedies which have this symptoms flashed into mind: Arnica, Veratrum and Plumbum. I consulted the Materia Medica of Jousset and I found that all the symptoms recounted and presented by the patient were recorded in the pathogenesy of Veratrum viride.

PRESCRIPTION:  Veratrum viride twelfth centesimal potency; two pills before breakfast and at night.

At the end of two days, the spasms had completely disappeared! I ordered that she should continue this medicine for four more days. A slight recurrence of spasms on the twelfth day of treatment caused me to repeat the same remedy for four more days, taken as before, after which the cure was complete. The monthly periods returned, without pain, eighteen days after the first day of treatment. Mme la Marquise had henceforth confidence in Homeopathy; she has sent me many patients.

The homeopath consulted previously had prescribed Actea rac which had “some similarity”,  but Actea rac did not possess all the symptoms presented by the patient; it was NOT the Simillimum; this is why it failed and why Veratrum viride cured!