4.1.2 Kalium arsenicosum, Case 1
A 35 year old man has pains in his chest. He feels there may be something wrong with his heart and it makes him anxious. He has had it checked with a specialist several times, but they can’t find anything wrong. From the age of 20 onwards he felt that his heart might give up suddenly. The complaints are worse after he has worked long and hard, but during work he feels better. The pains and fears are worse at 3 in the morning. The pain is paralysing, in the middle of his chest, but not radiating out to any other parts. It usually lasts half an hour. It makes him feel ‘it’s my turn now’. His blood pressure is slightly raised.
Other complaints: the skin on his scalp is scaly, with some red patches. He used to stutter as a child.
He has always worked hard, busy making sure he would get somewhere in life.
When he was a student he allowed himself little time for play, he went through university ‘at the rate of knots’ and he is now a magistrate in the courts.
He likes his work but the pressure is rather high, made worse by the fact that he is very precise and can’t tolerate mistakes. He is very restless, can’t sit still and do nothing. He is not impatient or easily angered.
He is happily married and has three children.
He is a member of the church council, which means he has the added burden of guiding his fellow parishioners on matters of faith. He did not volunteer for this job, but he feels it is his duty to do it well.
Generals
Type: dark.
Weather: slightly coldish, -> heat and sun.
perspiration: after exertion, on head and neck.
Desires: coffee (3), meat (2), milk (2).
Aversion: cheese (2), endive.
Sleep: good, on abdomen.
Analysis
The fear of heart disease as he describes it is typical of Kali arsenicosum (Vithoulkas). Apart from this important keynote it is interesting to see aspects of both Kali and Arsenicum coming up. He has always worked hard, and finished his studies in no time. All he did was work, allowing no time for a break (Kali and Arsenicum). He is restless (Arsenicum), but controlled (Kali). His job as a magistrate fits this theme beautifully, although I regret that I did not ask further questions about his motivation and the way he handled his daily duties.
Confirming Kali symptoms: < 3 am, B.P. raised, cold.
Arsenicum symptoms: precise, restless, fear of death, eczema, red and scaly, dark type, cold, -> coffee, milk, meat, < winter.
Reaction
After Kali arsenicosum 1M he had a headache for several days. Afterwards he feels better, less pain in his chest and much calmer. One month later no more pain in his chest.