10 years back, I had a very interesting experience with aconite. A 35 year old lady, a school teacher, with chronic polyarthritis. All joints swollen and painful. Recurrent fever. After repertorization I prescribed PULS, and when it failed, tried many drugs, all of which were of no use. I was very disappointed. One day, her husband casually happened to talk about her fear of crossing the streets. On further inquiry, I got to know of her fear and aversion to go to parties and crowded places. She confessed me that she would start to weep if she hears any music even from a distance. Considering this ‘weeping on hearing music’, ‘fear to cross streets’ and ‘aversion to crowded places’, I thought about aconite. Since aconite is considered to be effective only for acute cases, and this being a very chronic case, I was a bit reluctant to use aconite. Finally, I decided to give a try, since I was on the verge of losing the case altogether. It was a wonderful experience. She showed rapid improvement for all her complaints from the very next day onwards. Cure was complete by 3 months, with intercurrent doses of sulphur and pulsatilla also.
This case was an eye opener for me. I understood from experience that it is wrong to say aconite is only an acute remedy. It will cure any chronic case, if it is indicated by symptoms. That was a great realization.