Gall-Stone or Biliary Calculus

As a result of dietetic error and in part owing to bacterial infection (as during typhoid fever etc.), inspissated

bile is deposited inside the gall-bladder, to form gall or biliary stones. They vary in size from that of a sand to a pigeon’s egg; they are usually faceted and greenish in colour. Women who fast much or habitually eat at irregular hours and are at the same time constipated are the commonest victims. One may go through life with these stones inside one’s gallbladder without ever being troubled by them. In others they give rise to colic, inflammation (cholecystitis) or even pus formation, (see ‘Colic’ on p. 312).

Treatment

• During Colic: Carb. 6-30 every 15 minutes for 3 hours. If no result follows, BerberisӨ every 20 minutes. ChionanthusӨ, Hydrastis 0 (m. 1-10), Dioscorea 0 Chelidonium 2x, Carduus Marianus 2x, Gels. 1x, Bell. 3x, Ars. 3x-30 may be tried. Magnes. Phosph. 3x (in hot water) taken internally and applied locally acts magically. Try Cholesterinum 2 (or higher potencies if required) or 3x (trit.). 30-It has been extolled. Apply poultice to the affected part, make the patient sit in hot water; or inject into his bowels, drop by drop, warm water; he can drink sips of hot water.
• To Prevent Recurrence of Attacks China 0 is said to be the best preventive. Tyler recommends it (6x) in 6 globules twice daily upto 10 doses; then advises 6 globules every other day upto 10 doses; thereafter prescribes it every 4th day, Every 5th day and so on till it comes to a dose of 6 globules once a month. In the hands of others, Chelidonium and Carduns Marianus have given very satisfactory results.

The patient should avoid excess of sugar, starches, fats and calcium salts. Alkaline mineral waters are beneficial. He should live a regular life and drink water freely. If the gallbladder should suppurate, have recourse to the surgeon’s knife.