If the patient is frightened due to a sudden attack of coughing associated with a dry mouth and throat, he should be treated with Aconite 1000, Arsenic 1000 and Belladonna 1000, two doses repeated at half hourly intervals and then at a longer intervals, as needed. For the associated constant restlessness, one should try Arsenic. A patient in need of Arsenic, whose dry cough and sneezing gets worse in the heat, should be treated with Arsenic Iodide, which is also useful in the treatment of anaemia.
Bromium is ideal for the treatment of the dry cough associated with enlargement of the glands under the jaw (sub-mandibular glands) and tonsils, and dizziness becoming worse on lying down.
Bryonia 200 is very useful in the treatment of nasal catarrh, beginning in the spring. If the patient develops whooping cough, spasmodic cough and asthma in this particular part of the year, Drosera 200 becomes imperative. Drosera ailments aggravate in humid weather.
If Belladonna does not work, then Calcarea Carb should be used. Remember that the Belladonna patient is not anaemic, while a Calcarea Carb patient happens to be anaemic.
Calcarea Sulph is useful in the treatment of patients of hot constitution who have a dry or productive cough with a tendency for pus formation in the throat.
Ignatia is very useful in the treatment of cough in those girls who become easily offended and are of hysterical nature.
The cough in a Rumex patient is extremely resistant and dry in nature. There is intense irritation in the throat. The cough becomes worse on lying down. Chelidonium combined with Rumex will be extremely useful. If the treatment is still not effective, then Sulphur 200 should be alternated with Rhus Tox 200.
Spongia is useful for the treatment of cough due to cardiac asthma (associated with a sawing sound).
Any kind of dry cough precipitated by laughing or simple talking needs to be treated with Phosphorus. Phosphorus is also ideal for the treatment of tuberculosis and cancer of the lungs. Phosphorus should not be used in more than 30 potency in the first few months of treatment. Combined or alternated with Bryonia 30, it should be given three to four times a day. Besides that, a quarter teaspoonful of turmeric dissolved in milk or water is one of the best treatments for cancer of the lungs.
Kali Carb works best in chronic cough. The eyelids of a Kali Carb patient usually remain swollen. The patient suffers from backache which gets worse in the early morning at about three or four o’clock
Inflammation of the throat spreading towards the ears and associated with the feeling of pain at the navel should be treated with Plumbum 200 or Allium Cepa 30. This is also a quick acting treatment for earache due to nasal catarrh. If satisfactory relief is not obtained, then Chamomilla and Pulsatilla will be found very useful.
Dry cough in children who have worms in the intestines, and who are in the habit of scratching in the nose, will better off treated with China. Nux Vomica will be more useful if the patient also has hyperacidity of the stomach.
China is ideal for the treatment of dehydration, resulting from the loss of body fluids or repeated loss of blood.
Ipecac is ideal for the treatment of the cough associated with nausea (but without vomiting). The chest rattles due to accumulation of phlegm in the chest.
A dry cough due to pressure on the throat and which worsens during sleep will respond better to Lachesis.
For the dry cough that becomes worse at night in children of extremely angry and stubborn nature, Chamomilla is ideal.
Remedies
Alumina - Antimonium Tart - Argentum Metallicum - Baryta Carb - Capsicum - Carbo Vegatabilis - Causticum - Conium - Drosera - Euphrasia - Hepar Sulphuris - Hydratis - Hyoscyamus - Ignatia - Ipecac - Kali Bichromicum - Kali Carbonicum - Kali Iodide - Lachesis - Nux Vomica - Psorinum - Sanguinaria - Senega - Silicea - Stannum - Tuberculinum