Question

An old man of rheumatic gout diathesis complaining of arthritic pains in joints; pains are drawing, tearing, pressing, light or superficial during warm weather; affect the bones and deeper tissues, when air is cold; pains go from left to right; bad manners, make him almost beside himself; his suffering seem intolerable. The most suitable remedy is :

• A. \( \text{Rhus toxicodendron} \)
• B. \( \text{Staphysagria} \)
• C. \( \text{Bryonia alba} \)
• D. \( \text{Colchicum Autumnale} \)

Hint:

\textbf{Homeopathic Materia Medica: Colchicum.} Remember Colchicum for gouty affections, rheumatic pains worse with changes in weather and cold, and marked irritability with intolerance of being contradicted or bad manners.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The case presents with arthritic pains in an old man with a rheumatic gout diathesis. Key symptoms include: \begin{itemize} \item Drawing, tearing, pressing, light or superficial pains during warm weather. \item Pains affecting bones and deeper tissues when the air is cold. \item Pains that go from left to right. \item Extreme irritability and intolerance of bad manners, leading to intense suffering. \end{itemize} Analyzing these symptoms in relation to the given remedies: \begin{itemize} \item Rhus toxicodendron: Typically associated with stiffness and pain ameliorated by motion and warmth, and aggravated by rest and cold, which doesn't entirely fit the modality of aggravation in cold air and amelioration in warm weather for superficial pains. \item Staphysagria: More known for ailments from mortification, anger, and suppressed emotions, and often associated with neuralgic or cutting pains, not the primary picture here. \item Bryonia alba: Characterized by stitching, tearing pains aggravated by motion and ameliorated by rest and pressure. The modalities and character of pain don't align well with this case. \item Colchicum Autumnale: This remedy is strongly indicated for gouty and rheumatic affections, with pains that can be drawing, tearing, and worse in cold, damp weather or changes of weather. The extreme irritability and intolerance of suffering also align with the mental picture of Colchicum. The left-to-right direction of pain can also be found under Colchicum. \end{itemize} Considering the rheumatic gout diathesis, the modalities of pain (worse in cold, better in warm for superficial pains), the character of the pain, the left-to-right direction, and the extreme irritability and intolerance of suffering, Colchicum Autumnale appears to be the most suitable remedy.