The venoms from different kinds of snakes are not too
dissimilar from each other. Broadly speaking, these venoms can be divided into
two groups. One group affects the circulatory system, while the other one affects
the nervous system. The kind that affects the nervous system also influences
the blood circulation, although its main function is on the nervous system. It
paralyses the nerves as well as afflicting the heart directly. Similarly, the
kinds of venoms affecting the circulatory system also affect the heart
indirectly. They clot the blood within the blood vessels and thus affect the
functioning of the heart. The Snake
venom as such is not dangerous if taken by mouth. The poisons derived from all
animals consist of large protein molecules.
They are completely harmless when taken by mouth. That is the reason why
the treatment of snakebite has traditionally been the immediate suction of the
poison from the snakebite by mouth. As long as there is no open wound inside
the mouth, the venom has no harmful effect because it is not absorbed into the
blood circulation directly. The human body reacts violently against the entry
of a protein directly into the blood. The blood itself is a mixture of so many
proteins. These proteins are classified into different groups and each group is
named separately. During the transfusion of blood, these groups have to be kept
in view. Human blood is also a kind of poison, like snake venom, or it may
prove to be even more dangerous. On the
transfusion of an unmatched blood group, the recipient may die immediately.
The proteins of snake venom accumulate in the glands inside
the mouth of the snake. With the passage of time, they become
more and more concentrated. The system of the snakebite is not a mere coincidence but it has been well planned and devised by
the Almighty God. It is impossible that this system could have evolved on its
own or that it could be the result of a mere coincidence. Along the canine teeth of the snake, there
are two additional curved teeth (fangs) that have a very thin hole in them,
connected to the glands containing the venom. When the snake bites, the venom
does not enter the body immediately. However, when the snake retracts his head
to pull the teeth out, the venom from the glands squeezes out through the
minute holes in the additional teeth (fangs) and then enters the blood. Further
reaction is the result of entry of the venom in the body.
Out of all kinds of snake venoms, Lachesis is the most
important for homoeopathic use. No other venom or poison has been put to use
like Lachesis and it has been found extremely beneficial. According to Dr. Kent, Lachesis has been found useful all
over the world. The evil and acrimony of the Lachesis venom is also found in
all malefactors and people of wicked mind and bad character. Intense jealousy,
mischief and trouble making in a severe form are found in Lachesis. Thus, Lachesis
may be called the universal poison. The snake venoms become more concentrated
in the spring. In winter, the snakes hibernate and during this period, their
venom becomes more concentrated and dangerous. The spring season is the time
when the snakes come out of their holes and places of hibernation. In this season
the snakebite is extremely dangerous. The
timing of the symptoms of snakebites happens to be very precisely punctuated.
In whichever season the snakebites, the symptoms and bad effects recur exactly
in the same season the following year. If a person is bitten by a snake in the
spring season and happens to survive, then he has to face the symptoms of
snakebite in every spring season. Patients may presume that they have probably been
bitten by the snake again. This is especially so because the wound of the
previous snakebite also becomes swollen and congested. In other seasons also, the symptoms of
snakebite can recur but not that severely and the patient does not feel that he
has been bitten again.
The sudden onset of a violent type of sneezing in the spring season
is also a sign of Lachesis. I have tried Lachesis 1000 on
the patients who suffered from hay fever for many years. A single dose
relieved their problem forever. About ten percent of such patients
got significantly better like this, just with one dose of Lachesis 1000. Once the allergy becomes controlled and then
recurs, in that case it should be repeated after two weeks or a month. If
Lachesis fails, then Natrum Mur and Sabadilla also work well. So the proper
diagnosis of the patient should be arrived at carefully.
For any such patient who is predisposed to fall sick as a
result of moving from the cold to a relatively warm temperature, due to the change
of weather or a geographic change of place, Lachesis must be kept well in mind
for his other ailments also. However, Dulcamara is the only one remedy that can
be used in treating sneezing in any season. Bryonia is also of great use during
the change of cold weather into warm weather.
A peculiar symptom of Lachesis is that its ailments
definitely get worse after sleep. Most of the patients bitten by snakes exhibit
the same feature, but Lachesis is the most prominent of all snake venoms. Although it proves to be beneficial for the
treatment of such patients whose ailments aggravate after sleep, it does not
mean that every patient who shows this symptom must have been bitten by a
snake. It simply means that it is a commonly shared symptom in which Lachesis
is certainly useful. If indeed a person has been bitten by a Lachesis kind of
snake and then goes to sleep, he may not wake up and thus will be untreatable.
Every physician must remember that whenever he is called upon to see a patient
bitten by a snake, he must make sure that the patient be kept awake under all
circumstances, even if he has to be repeatedly slapped on his face. Once he
remains awake or can be made to wake up, the chances of his survival become
bright. The symptoms of a patient of
Lachesis keep aggravating during sleep in which he observes scary dreams and by
the morning, his illness has become very severe. He is extremely restless in
the morning his head feels warm and hurts. His heart beats fast. Besides that,
he becomes badly stricken with grief, which is typical of Lachesis. A patient
of Gelsemium also wakes up with a headache but he sleeps comfortably at night
without seeing any frightful dreams. In Gelsemium, the patient develops a
headache if due to some reason, his routine of waking up in the morning or his
timing for breakfast changes. In a headache of this kind the proper treatment
is Gelsemium and not Lachesis.
The patient of Lachesis is very cold especially his feet
are ice cold. However, hot water aggravates his symptoms especially the
headache. The pressure of the blood
rises inside the head. The patient feels as if his head might explode. In Lachesis
like Belladonna, the rush of blood is more on one side. In Belladonna, the rush
of blood may be directed to any part of the body while in Lachesis, this
tendency is only limited towards the head. There is rush of blood towards the head
while the feet become cold. The person feels riveted due to pain as if somebody
has tightly tied a cloth over his head. Patients showing the symptoms of
Lachesis may also sometimes faint while taking a shower with hot water.
Another prominent symptom of Lachesis is that purple or darkish spots form on
the body, much more so on the face. Similar spots are exhibited by the patients
who experience severe heart
attack. Such patients who have the tendency to develop such spots
should be periodically, treated with Lachesis. Lachesis prevents the clotting
of blood in the circulation and potential heart attack. Lachesis is the best remedy
against such happening. For this purpose, when given along with Arnica, it is
much more effective.
Lachesis is also proved to be very useful in the treatment
of swollen lymph glands.
The wounds bleed severely; the colour
of the blood is dark and it clots in the form of grass weeds. In
Lachesis, like Kreosotum and Phosphorus, there is a tendency towards copious
dark bleeding. In Kreosotum, slight pressure can cause bleeding. The gums,
which apparently look healthy, will start bleeding with finger pressure or when
there is a minor ailment, the local application of pressure will start
bleeding. In Phosphorus, the bleeding is brisk and of red colour. In Secale Cor
and in Lachesis, the blood is darkish is colour and the configuration of their
wounds is also similar. In Lachesis, like Secale, there is a tendency towards
the formation of gangrene
over the wounds. Dark blood keeps on oozing from the wounds. The
margins of the wounds become swollen. The surrounding skin shrinks and becomes
dark and wrinkled. However, other symptoms of Lachesis are quite different from
those of Secale. In Lachesis, the
patient is very cold and feels severe cold, while the patient of Secale feels
intense heat and gets relief with cold applications on the affected areas.
Another symptom of Lachesis is the formation of Varicose Veins (the veins
become engorged and tortuous). The blood clots inside the veins and makes lumps
and bumps that may rupture. Varicose Veins are a serious and troublesome
illness. In general, it affects women during pregnancy or after their delivery,
involving the legs and feet. Sometimes,
it is so severe that walking around becomes difficult. Lachesis alone is not effective against the
varicosity of the veins. In such a condition, other symptoms of the patient
must also be observed to arrive at a proper diagnosis and to devise the optimal
treatment. If the proper diagnosis cannot be established, then Arnica and
Lachesis together may be given routinely to get some relief. However, the best routine
treatment is Aesculus.
For the so-called piles
of the eyes, in which the eyes become intensely red and swollen,
Aesculus is very useful. It is also effective in the treatment of the piles,
which become purple and cause severe pain. A characteristic symptom of Aesculus
is that although it seems that the wounds will soon mature, form pus and then
rupture, they neither suppurate nor burst. The constant presence of these
non-healing piles is a great menace. Aesculus is well known to offer cure in
this painful condition although it does not succeed alone. It has to be supplemented
with Arnica, Lachesis and similar adjuvant remedies. One must constantly examine one’s feet to control this problem at
the outset. The appearance of bluish marks over the ankles and the heels is
indicative of impending varicosity of the veins. The blood can clot in them.
Once the veins become swollen and tortuous, the disease may get out of control.
Blood clots can form within the tortuous veins, which can dislodge themselves
and lead to heart attack by embolism. In the early stage of this condition,
Arnica and Lachesis, by God’s Grace, are very effective for the prevention of
serious consequences. In Shingles, as already mentioned in various chapters the
remedies Arnica, Ledum Pal, Lachesis and Natrum Mur happen to be very useful.
In Lachesis, the hands and feet of the patient become cold
and patient suffers from weakness of the heart. The head feels warm and the veins
pulsate. During a headache, the patient cannot rest his head on the pillow
because whichever side he lies on, the head starts throbbing due to excessive
rushing of blood.
Lachesis affects the emotional state as well. On hearing
sudden sad news or due to some other emotional upset, the heart sinks, the body
sweats and the head becomes warm but the feet become very cold. While the feet
are cold and the usual symptoms of Lachesis are also present, a
single dose of Lachesis will offer magical relief. The patient, previously
shivering with cold and covering himself in layer after layer of quilts with
the feet feeling unbearably cold, will notice in just a few minutes after
administration of this remedy, a sudden flow of heat waves emerging from the
upper part of the body spreading downwards. I infer from this that Lachesis
disperses the excessive blood from the head towards the rest of the body,
resulting in the warming up of the feet in no time. Psorinum also possesses
this quality, though with some difference. The patient of Psorinum is always
cold all over. Even in the summer, he keeps himself covered. His skin becomes dark in colour and the body
discharges are offensive. However in Lachesis these signs are absent due to
stress, sudden shock or sometime for no apparent reason, his body may suddenly
turn cold yet the head remains warm. In
the case of Lachesis, the ailment
attacks the left side though it does not remain localised there. It
shifts towards the right side of the body after some time. This is a very clear
symptom, which, if associated with worsening of the condition at night,
definitely warrants the use of Lachesis.
Lachesis is also very useful in the treatment of conditions related to the ovaries.
If the discomfort or pain begins in the left ovary and then shifts towards the
right ovary, it will respond best to Lachesis. If the condition originates in
the right ovary, Lycopodium and Tarentula will be more beneficial. In Lachesis,
throat conditions also begin
on the left side and then migrate towards the right side. In
Lycopodium the situation is reversed. In Pulsatilla, the pain radiates in any
direction (migratory) as found in Lac Caninum.
In Lachesis, the headache
also starts on the left side and then spreads over to the nape of the neck. The temple feels under
heavy pressure, while the lower jaw may also be involved.
Gelsemium may also be very useful in the treatment of such a headache
although the headache typical of Gelsemium descends from the nape of the
neck towards the shoulder blades in the muscles of the back. In
other words, it is not confined to the nape alone. Another characteristic of Lachesis is that its pain tends
to change sides when it originates in the upper body and then migrates to the
lower body. For example, if the patient has pain over the heart or feels pressure
over the left side of the chest then this pain may travel to the right hip or
groin, or sometimes it may affect both sides simultaneously. Many a time, the
pain remains on the left side from top to bottom, especially when associated
with paralysis. However, one thing is sure that the sensation of pain and
muscular stiffness in the upper part of the body must be associated with
similar discomfort on the right lower body. This is typical of Lachesis. Symptoms of Lachesis include large swelling of the tongue and
numbness over the lips resulting in a difficulty to speak properly. Any patient
with this symptom, whose head remains warm and who develops purple spots on the
skin, should ideally be treated with Lachesis. In fact, the swelling of the
tongue and numbness of the lips indicate the onset of paralysis inside the
mouth and throat, which, if not promptly treated with Lachesis, will definitely
result in the paralysis.
Another salient symptom of Lachesis is the feeling of tightness around the neck,
so much so that the patient cannot even tolerate a collar. In Glonoine, there
is a similar feeling with the addition of the feeling of tightness around the
head and intolerance to wearing a cap. The
feeling of being strangulated is indicative of Hydrophobinum. In Lachesis, the
patient feels tight and constricted at the upper part of the neck but cannot
say for sure, if it is from within or from outside. In Hydrophobinum and
Hyoscyamus, there is a feeling of constriction inside the throat while in
Lachesis, there is no such feeling of internal constriction. He just cannot
tolerate anything around the neck.
Lachesis patients by nature are extremely suspicious. They believe that everybody is talking against them or that their food
has been poisoned. They distrust even their near relatives. The
symptoms then gradually become worse. Such patients must be treated with
Lachesis and soon. In my experience, Lachesis benefits to some
extent, but not for long. Other remedies must be sought after the
psychoanalysis of the patient. Lachesis will offer cure only if the other
basic symptoms of Lachesis are also present.
A Lachesis patient has the constant fear of bleak future
for himself, or of having committed a sin which is unforgivable, or having been
possessed and being manipulated by a superpower. Once a small girl, who was
similarly sick and who had the habit of stealing was brought to me. On being
asked, she would reply that she did it under divine command. Such patients
should be treated with Lachesis. Those who disobey God on “His command” will
start obeying Him on the command of a snake i.e. Lachesis. The women of
Lachesis disposition have a constant fear of being chased by someone or they may
become religious fanatics. Both these symptoms are characteristic of Lachesis.
The situation becomes worse when they start thinking of killing somebody with
the firm belief that God wants them to do it. Such patients may in fact kill
somebody, or will at least try to do so. If they are religious fanatics, they
become extremely talkative. They are disorganised and impatient in all matters
and do not even talk properly, changing the topic halfway through and fail to convey
what they intended to say. They themselves may yell and scream at full volume
but cannot tolerate external noise, which stuns their nerves. They tend to
think of committing suicide, though practically are very afraid to do so. They
feel like jumping from a high place but dare not do so. When a patient becomes
frightened at the thought of high places, he may benefit from Arsenic or
Argentum Nitricum. In general, Lachesis works well on such kinds of mental patients.
It must be given in at least potency 200. In my practice I have found it much
more useful in potency 1000. Many times, I have used it in potency CM and found
it definitely effective. A Sore throat contracted
in winter is a peculiar symptom of Lachesis In Psorinum too, the patient catches cold right at the
onset of winter. Psorinum is useful in
the treatment of sore throat as well, though it is more useful in the treatment
of cold. Another peculiarity of Psorinum is that when the nasal discharge
stops, a headache sets in i.e. the headache and runny nose alternate with each
other. Such is not the case in Lachesis.
Another sign of Lachesis is the extreme skin sensitivity, so much so that the patient may not even tolerate touch with a light
cloth. The simultaneous presence of discomfort in a particular area and
extreme
sensitivity of the overlying skin, causing severe
restlessness and worsening of the headache, is characteristic of Lachesis. This
symptom is also found in Kali Carb. Strong pressure is soothing, while light
touch hurts. Light touch causing severe discomfort is well pronounced in Lac
Caninum. If the fingers seem to hurt, the patient keeps the fingers open
(straight). On bending the fingers, he cries out with pain. In case the armpits
are extremely sensitive to touch, the patient keeps his arms away from his
sides. Lachesis is also deeply related
to jaundice. For
jaundice, I usually prescribe the combination of Sulphur, Bryonia and Carduus
Marianus, which by God’s grace have been very successful. In the case of failure,
one can use Chelidonium, Lachesis, Berberis and Lycopodium etc., all being very
useful in the treatment of liver
diseases, though they need to be used with extreme caution.
Phosphorus is also related to liver disorders, especially liver cancer. Its repeated
use in high potency, or its unnecessary use, can bring about dangerous consequences.
Sometimes, the jaundice becomes chronic. This will respond very well to
Lachesis. The jaundice of
Lachesis is associated with
nausea similar to Chelidonium. Ipecac may be of some use in some
cases of jaundice but it is not deep-acting remedy. However, it works in certain cases. Lachesis would be ideal in treating
jaundice and stones in the
gall bladder provided the patient also exhibits general symptoms of
Lachesis. Generally, a mild soreness of the throat causes
severe pain in the eyes when pressed locally. The examination of the ear with
an instrument provokes cough, showing that the ear, nose and eyes are very much
interconnected. When any one of these is disturbed, the other may also be
affected. Lachesis, specifically, can by God’s grace, relieve the ailments
pertaining to all three. Sometimes, the
glands of the eye that make tears (lacrimal glands) become painfully sore.
Lachesis will cure this condition also. Here Lachesis will be recognised by an
eczema-like condition of the face, swellings and blisters. Probably this facial
condition is transferred to the eyes. Eyesores alone are not diagnostic of
Lachesis. In the presence of facial symptoms, Lachesis would be the best
treatment to cure eyesores. It is the topmost remedy of the fistulae of the eye, as is
Kali Bichrome.
In Lachesis, the nose bleeds during the symptoms of cold.
The correct diagnosis is only made by the proper scrutiny of symptoms. In Psorinum
and Lachesis both, the nasal
discharge is very offensive.
The cold may lead to eczema of the scalp, which becomes covered
with a thick shell under which germs flourish. When this
shell bursts, it emits an offensive smelling discharge. When the eczema is forcefully
suppressed with some local treatment, a severe form of resistant nasal catarrh
develops. In such conditions, Mezereum
is much more effective than Lachesis and Psorinum. Once a child was brought
to me who had a severe cold of a resistant nature. It did not respond to any
kind of treatment. The nose smelt awful. It just so happened that just then I
had read about Mezereum. I gave him Mezereum and it cured the cold immediately
but he developed eczema on the scalp, which by the grace of God also cleared
with Mezereum in a few days.
Lachesis and Psorinum are both anti-psoric. Lachesis is
the best remedy for blisters
containing blood i.e. haemorrhagic blisters. This kind of skin condition occurs on and
off. Generally in Lachesis, like in Arnica, the bleeding is of a darkish
colour. However, the blood-filled blisters on the face are related only to
Lachesis. The gums bleed. The tongue becomes dry and leathery in consistency. The mouth is dry yet there is no thirst. The
dryness of the mouth and tongue is like Gelsemium. So the diagnosis of Lachesis
will be made on the basis of its other symptoms. In Lachesis, sputum resembles soap-lather
in appearance but not in taste. Sometimes, the saliva exudes like thick hard
threads of yellowish colour. This sign is more pronounced in Kali Bichrome.
In Lachesis, fluids tend to get stuck in the throat, especially hot
fluids. Almost all snake venoms cause constriction of the
throat, resulting in difficulty of swallowing food and water. In Lachesis, hot fluids
make this condition still more difficult while cold drinks offer some relief.
This symptom is contradictary to the usual nature of Lachesis i.e. the body of
the Lachesis patient is cold and he cherishes heat. Regarding the constriction of the throat,
Lachesis resembles Belladonna in which the suffering gets worse in heat, while
cold offers relief. Apis ailments also become worse with heat and get better in
the cold. This symptom is common to Lachesis, Belladonna and Apis. However, in Lachesis, a cold drink relieves the condition.
In fact, the patient likes cold drinks, though nausea immediately
follows. This is typical of Lachesis.
Belladonna also relieves a dry cough like that of a Lachesis patient. The cough resulting from the misuse of
Lachesis or in a patient bitten by a Lachesis kind of snake, who luckily
survives but is left with a persistent cough, will significantly benefit from
Belladonna. Belladonna is not a very
long acting remedy but is considered to be an intermediate kind of remedy.
Nonetheless, it cures the persistent type of cough, following the misuse of
Lachesis. Likewise, Lachesis annuls the bad effects of Belladonna.
Lachesis is also useful in the treatment of gas in the abdomen (flatulence).
The abdomen becomes distended with gas. Once the constitution of the patient is
recognised, it becomes so much easier to find the appropriate cure. If the
patient is very cold in cold weather and his abdomen is full of gas, then
Psorinum will be useful. It will restore the expulsion of the blocked up
foul-smelling gas. In Lachesis too, the passage of flatus softens the belly,
though the flatus is not very malodourous.