One of the most frequently corroborated symptoms of this remedy is the modality -aggravated by mental exertion. The patient is unable to think or perform any mental labor without headache (Argentum, nit., Sabadilla) vertigo or a sense of stupefaction. This symptom alone makes it an invaluable remedy, as we often come across that kind of patient. At least I have, and have frequently gained great credit by relieving them. I generally use the 30th potency here. Again this kind of headache is apt to be worse on exposure to the sun's rays or under gaslight. Persons suffering from over-heating from the sun may find relief from Natrum carb., Glonoine, Lachesis or Lyssin. Like the other Natrums, the carbonate is greatly depressed in spirits, wholly occupied with sad thoughts. It is one of our best remedies for chronic catarrh of the nose, which extends to the posterior nares and throat. There is violent hawking and splitting of thick mucus that constantly collects again, (Corallium). Although never produced in the proving, clinical use has proved it a great remedy for "bearing down" pains. Here the concomitant symptoms of mind, sadness, over-sensitiveness to noise, especially music, etc., will confirm its choice. Weakness of the ankles from childhood finds a good remedy in Natrum carb. I cured a very bad case in a young man who was very fleshy and walked on the inside of his ankles, feet bending outward, from such weakness, his ankles refusing to support him, especially when a little over-fatigued. Those are the only uses of Natrum Carb. that I know from personal experience or observation.
§ 1
The physician's high and only mission is to restore the sick to health, to cure, as it is termed. ( 1) FN (1) His mission is not, however, to construct so-called systems, by interweaving empty speculations and hypotheses concerning the internal essential nature of the vital processes and the mode in which diseases originate in the interior of the organism, (whereon so many physicians have hitherto ambitiously wasted their talents and their time); nor is it to attempt to give countless explanations regarding the phenomena in diseases and their proximate cause (which must ever remain concealed), wrapped in unintelligible words and an inflated abstract mode of expression, which should sound very learned in order to astonish the ignorant - whilst sick humanity sighs in vain for aid. Of such learned reveries (to which the name of theoretic medicine is given, and for which special professorships are instituted) we have had quite enough, and it is now high time that all who call themsel...
