Oxalicum acidum, un bien étrange acide employé en homéopathie

The author, with the aid of three observations from his daily practice, attempts to draw a portrait of a homeopathic medicine which is probably under-used in paediatric practice. Oxalic acid (Oxalicum acidum) has been used since the 19th century to treat certain pathologies such as angina pectoris. In homeopathy, the major sign which can indicate the prescription of this medicine was discovered by J.T. Kent: Desire to beget children. The three cases presented are centred on the desire to have a child thwarted by a physical impossibility (genital malformations due to Distilbène® in two cases) or by a psychogenic impossibility inappropriately treated by hormone therapy. The three observations concern key ages of paediatric practice: a baby, a young girl and an adolescent (or post-adolescent) and illustrate the benefit for homeopathic doctors of positioning themselves as family doctors over the long term.