After two months on Arsenicum, all of Mary's wheezing had stopped. Her endurance had increased markedly. Only slight congestion had occurred. She was not having any anxiety. She was sleeping well. She still reacted to cats, but only slightly and could have a cat around now. Now she was not sensitive to the cold at all. She had had no hives. She still desired sweets, however, which is not unusual in children.

In reviewing the entire case, we can see that Natrum sulphuricum was correct as the first prescription and produced considerable benefit. Dulcamara definitely caused a relapse, probably because it's picture is close to Natrum sulphuricum, and it ruined much of what had been accomplished by the previous remedy. Kali carbonicum was quite helpful in the acute nighttime aggravation, and prevented further allopathic intervention. Nux vomica, however, was prbably not correct, even though it fit her chilliness, her competitiveness and irritability, and is listed for children's asthma in the repertory. Nux vomica may still have usefulness in the future as what Dr. Eizayaga calls a functional remedy. The increasing aggravation from cold, nighttime aggravations and the new development of anxiety about suffocation finally led to the successful prescription of Arsenicum album. Arsenicum had never been considered before due to Mary's complete lack of anxiety with the asthma, which is uncharacteristic of Arsenicum cases. Some cases, however, do not have mental or emotional pathology, and must be prescribed for based on the physical symptoms alone.

This case shows the evolution of the case towards the prescription that was most effective, but which was not obvious at all at the beginning. It also shows the necessity for careful follow-up to evaluate the results of each prescription, and how a case with two wrong prescriptions may still be treated successfully if the correct remedy is found.

Dr. Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman and Dr. Robert Ullman are licensed naturopathic physicians and are board certified in homeopathy. They are President and Vice President of the International Foundation for Homeopathy where they teach homeopathy to licensed health care professionals. They practice in Edmonds, WA at 131 3rd Ave., N., Edmonds, WA 98020 and can be reached at (206) 774-5599. Their new book, The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine, is now available.