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Lachesis - Farrington | International Academy of Classical Homeopathy | Official website

VITHOULKAS ACADEMY HOMEOPATHY EDUCATION WRITINGS

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LACHESIS - BY FARRINGTON IACH - Prof. G. Vithoulkas

Lachesis
lach

Now let us consider LACHESIS. First of all, in order that you may comprehend the subject, I wish to refer
Lachesis is especially suitable to persons who have a peculiar sensitiveness of the surface of the body. E
when you try to feel his pulse, he will show that he is disturbed thereby. Hard rubbing or pressure may
could never tolerate tight clothing about his neck. He always wore his collars loose. He noticed that dur
he faithfully made note of the occurrence, but did not place much value on it. Since then, the symptom
true, not only as a local symptom of the neck, but as a symptom of the body universally. The explanatio
and because of this, the patient cannot bear touch or slight pressure. It is no evidence of inflammation,
ACONITE, ARNICA, or BELLADONNA. This sensitiveness also differs from that of APIS which has a bruise
from the sensitiveness of NUX VOMICA and LYCOPODIUM which have it about the waist only after a me

Next we find that the drug is prone to affect the left side of the body. Homeopaths have been criticised
body in preference to another. The simple fact that disease chooses sides ought to be enough to lead o
body is more apt to be affected by drugs having a depressing action, because that side of the body is th

Another peculiarity of LACHESIS arising, probably, from its action on the pneumogastric nerves, is its infl
worse from sleep; HE SLEEPS INTO AN AGGRAVATION. This latter is more marked than the former. If it i
respiration, and is a weakening drug, we can understand why sleep should aggravate. During our wakin
this voluntary control is lost. It is when this change takes place that the weakening effect of Lachesis is a

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Lachesis is a very valuable remedy at the clirnaxis, for the reason that the woman has exhausted herse
condition there occurs a sudden cessation of the menses. Non-appearing
VITHOULKAS discharges
ACADEMY HOMEOPATHY make the Lachesis
EDUCATION WRITINGS
before than during the flow. The pulse is trembling. There are the peculiar headache, and the annoying
    

no exception to the rule that it acts on debilitated and weakened persons.

Now, let us consider some of the symptoms of Lachesis in detail: First, as to the mental symptoms. The
subject; sometimes with fear ot being poisoned. Interesting stories excite immoderately and even inten
Sometimes theanxiety assumes a peculiar type, and he imagines that he is dead and preparations are b
with sleepiness and yet inability to sleep. Ideas chase each other so rapidly through the mind, he canno
being unusually increased. But this stage of excitement is commingled with another, which soon entirel
think only with difficulty. He has to think how words are spelled. SULPHUR and LYCOPODIUM also have
vertigo, worse on closing the eyes; or the vertigo may be worse on sitting or lying down. In this vertigo, f
dizziness is worse with eyes closed ; but a distinctive feature you will find is that vertigo, pains, and naus
pains. ARSENIC, HYDROCYANIC ACID, DIGITALIS, VERATRUM ALB., CAMPHOR, you should compare in ve

LAUROCERASUS or HYDROCYANIC ACID is needed in long-lasting faints; there seems to be no reactive p

down the throat, they roll audibly into the stomach. If the syncope is attendant upon some poison in th
being livid, and when pressed, regains its color very slowly.

DIGITALIS also rivals the Ophidians in syncope, with the antecedent dim vision ; the pulse is generally ve
weakness in the epigastrium.

CAMPHOR and VERATRUM ALBUM display coldness and cold sweaty skin ; in the latter remedy, the fore
raised, it turns pale and the patient faints; the pulse is thready.

CAMPHOR has icy surface, sudden sinking, as in LAUROCERASUS, and although so cold, he throws off cl
be still unconscious.

In ill-effects of the heat of the sun, compare GLONOINE, BELLADONNA, CAMPHOR, NATRUM CARB., and
paralytic weakness (Glon.), unconsciousness, etc., resemble LACHESIS ; but the latter displays the effect
intolerant of warm, relaxing weather, and so we find many ailments returning in Spring and Summer. In
prostrated by mental fatigue. The sun's heat makes him languid, dizzy, faint, or, if congestions ensue, th
cadaverous; the extremities are cold. Here Camphor may be demanded if vitality is ebbing away, the fai
cold sweat. Both Lachesis and Natrum carb. are useful when hot weather fatigues, in which case you sh

Returning now, after this digression, to the mental symptoms of Lachesis, we find that the delirium is of
going deeper and deeper into a torpid state, with coolness of the extremities, trembling of the hands an
tremblingly, or catches in the teeth, or, if he does get it out, it is trembling, and is usually coated dark br
ooze dark blood. Loquacity is commonly followed by depression, and by weakness which amounts to a
violent Belladonna type. The typhoid type is shown by the dark coating on the tongue ; the paralytic sta
catching on the teeth.

These symptoms show Lachesis to be an invaluable remedy in typhoid fever, and in fact in all diseases o
characteristic. Another mental state which these typhoid patients may have as indicating Lachesis, is th

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overwhelming power. Diarrhoea is usually present and is characterized by the horribly offensive odor to
you in diphtheria or scarlatina. Even when the VITHOULKAS
stools are formed and HOMEOPATHY
ACADEMY in every way natural in other
EDUCATION resp
WRITINGS
indicated late in the course of typhoid fever when the patient lies in a stupor with dropping of the lower
    

the brain.

Let me now speak of some of the concordant remedies of Lachesis in these conditions. In the loquacity
STRAMONIUM and AGARICUS.

STRAMONIUM you will distinguish from Lachesis by the red face and the other evidences of great senso

MEPHITIS, ACTEA RACEMOSA and PARIS QUADRIFOLIA also produce loquacity. Under MEPHITIS it is as i

Under ACTEA RACEMOSA, the loquacity is usually associated with menstrual suppression, with puerper
in this last condition I have named, Actea cures wild imaginings of rats, etc., sleeplessness, wild crazed f
of subject, the patient must move about. Lachesis has more marked trembling of the hands, diarrhoea

PARIS QUADRIFOLIA causes a garrulity which is much like that produced by tea, a sort of vivacity with lo

In these typhoid types of fever, you may compare Lachesis with OPIUM, HYOSCYAMUS, ARNICA, LYCOP
typhoid fever with this threatening paralysis of the brain, but the symptoms under it, refer to a very diff
indicate Opium in addition to this dropping of the lower jaw are, unconsciousness, stertorous breathing
face, the more is Opium indicated. With Lachesis, the cerebral condition is due to the effect of the typho
the intense congestion of that organ.

HYOSCYAMUS is perhaps more similar to Lachesis than is Opium. Here we find the lower jaw dropped,
muscles. This last is a necessary symptom of Hyoscyamus. Here too, there is snoring breathing as in Op

ARNICA is also indicated when there is great congestion of the brain. The patient lies in a stupor with lo
and urine are passed involuntarily. In addition to these symptoms and separating it from the drugs just
irregular in outline and having a black and blue appearance, ecchymoses as they are called.

LYCOPODIUM is the complement of Lachesis and is, therefore, more apt to be indicated after it than an
Lycopodium are these : The patient lies in a stupor with lower jaw dropped, and rattling breathing. Ther
and expiration and the eyes are fixed and set and are swimming in tears. Lycopodium is the most impo
that I mean to say, that it is the most frequently indicated.

Leaving the mental symptoms of Lachesis and the indications of it and its analogues in typhoid fever, w
a headache worse in or over the left eye, of a throbbing character, with sharp pains, very severe, which
ordinary cold, relieved as soon as the coryza appears. There is a universal characteristic; so soon as a d
dysmenorrhoea with Lachesis when there was a headache preceding the dysmenorrhoea but relieved s

In catarrhal and rheumatic headaches you may compare MERCURIUS, CINCHONA, PULSATILLA, BRYON

CINCHONA relieves headache from suppressed coryza when the pain is worse from the least draught o

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BRYONIA and PULSATILLA come into use when the checked catarrhal secretion is thick yellow and green
VITHOULKAS ACADEMY HOMEOPATHY EDUCATION WRITINGS
GELSEMIUM when motility is lessened, and the patient
 is drowsy
 with neuralgic
 pains from
 occiput 
to fo

The headache may also arise from disordered stomach or bowels; or may be an accompaniment of feve
tendency of the blood, with throbbing in the head, dark redness of the face, puffed face, confusion of th
often accompanied, too, with partial blindness, palpitation of the heart, and fainting. The pains about th
concentrate at the root of the nose. At other times, the pains go from the zygoma to the ear. This direct
pain from zygoma to the ear, we have pains from the head, going down through and into the eyes. Thes
one that I will now mention, which is probably of rheumatic origin ; pains in the head, going down into t
accompanied with slight stiffness of the neck, either catarrhal or rheumatic. You may have Lachesis ind
inflammation of the membranes of the brain ; sharp pains in the head, making the patient scream out;
head from side to side, and bores it into the pillow. Particularly useful is this when an exanthem, scarlat
The patient is at first very drowsy, but unable to sleep; trembling or palpitation of the heart. Soon stupo
him with difficulty.

In intense head pains as in meningitis you should remember the relation between BELLADONNA and La
degree. Both are suited to meningitis from erysipelas, to scarlatina, apoplexy, etc.; but the former repre
though there be stupor, still there are evidences of irritation and not wholly of depression. Thus, the pa
teeth, awakens frightened, etc. His pulse is usually strong and the surface congestions are bright red, o
scarlatina, it is red, even if sparse, and vitality is not so low that the extremities are cool, the rash bluish
suppuration, as in the snake-poison. Often, however, after the use of Belladonna we find evidences of c
in which case Lachesis may be required. The patient still cries out in sleep or awakens frightened, the to
is red; but the pulse is quicker and more feeble, the feet are cool, the surface heat is irregularly distribu
creeping on, the inflamed part or the pseudo-membrane or the eruption, as the case may be, is becom

Considering the action of Lachesis on the special senses, we find the eyes to be affected by the drug. Di
eyes; sight suddenly seems to fade away; feeling of faintness and palpitation of the heart; with these, ne
dim sight as an evidence of heart disease and vertigo. We may also use it with good effect for what we m
absorption of the blood.

The nearest remedies to LACHESIS in this condition of the retina, are CROTALUS, PHOSPHORUS and AR

Scrofulous ophthalmia calls for Lachesis when the symptoms are decidedly worse after sleep. There are
character, extending to the temples, top of the head and occiput. There are also itching and stinging in
flickerings before the eyes.

CROTALUS MAY ALSO be called for in keratitis when there are cutting pains around the eyes, lids swolle
menses.

In diseases of the ear, Lachesis may be remedial for roaring and singing in the ears, and different sorts
ear and working it. This shows that the tinnitus is not congestive, but of catarrhal origin. The wax is alte
between the ear and mastoid process with throbbing pain and stiffness. You may here compare NITRIC

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ELAPS and CROTALUS like Lachesis have an action on the ears. The former produces a catarrh with blac
the discharge is yellow-green, liquid and bloody. Only Lachesis
VITHOULKAS seemsHOMEOPATHY
ACADEMY to have the Eustachian
EDUCATION stoppage
WRITINGS
    

CROTALUS causes a stuffed feeling in the ears, worse in the right, associated with a feeling as if hot ear

The face in the Lachesis patient varies, of course, with the condition that obtains in the system at the tim
face has an earthy pallor. In exanthematic diseases it is apt to be bloated or puffed ; bluish-red; if the er

Its expression is anxious and painful with the stupor; the face is disfigured, looks as after a debauch; th
in ague, the face is earthy gray.

Lachesis also has convulsions of the face ; lockjaw ; distortion of the face; stretching the body backward

For swollen face, you may compare: APIS, BELLADONNA, ARSENIC, LYCOPODIUM, HYOSCYAMUS, RHUS
PHOSPHORUS.

For sickly, pale or earthy complexion: ARSENIC, BUFO, LYCOPODIUM, CARBO VEG., RHUS TOX., CINCHO

Blue about the eyes: ARSENIC, CUPRUM, PHOSPHORUS, SECALE CORNUTUM and VERATRUM ALBUM.

Debauched look: BAPTISIA,, HYOSCYAMUS, CARBO VEG., NUX VOMICA, SULPHUR, OPIUM, NUX MOSCHA

In facial convulsions, compare: NUX VOMICA, HYOSCYAMUS, BELLADONNA, HYDROCYANIC ACID, LYCO

APIS, ARSENIC and KALI CARB. agree in puffing of the face even without any redness. In the first, there i
second, it is noticed about the eyes, glabellaand forehead (also NATRUM ARS.). KALI CARB. has the well-
cheeks.

The expression, complexion, etc., of ARSENIC are very similar to those of the snake-poisons. The anxiety
of death, etc., and the sunken face is more completely Hippocratic, with pointed features, sunken eyes
symptoms are present, the patient will be found lying pale, and as if dead, though yet warm. Suddenly,
relapse into this sort of cataleptic rigidity. The eyes are partly open with gum on the conjunctiva.

LYCOPODIUM has pale or yellow face, deeply furrowed, looking elongated. The convulsive movements a
an alternation of contraction and expansion. And in the face, you note: tongue pushed out and withdra
alternately drawn up and relaxed, alae nasi alternately expanded and contracted. The eyes may be part
being indicative of brain exhaustion.

PHOSPHORUS has a pale face but it is distinguished by its ashy anaemic appearance. This should be rem
sunken face, blueness around the eyes and blue lips.

HYOSCYAMUS is very similar to Lachesis in facial expression and in the convulsive phenomena. It has a
swollen and brown-red; starting; twitchings of single groups of muscles are noted. Hunger appears befo

STRAMONIUM is readily distinguished by its swollen, turgid face, fright on awakening, renewal of spasm
wrinkling of the forehead.
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HYDROCYANIC ACID closely agrees in convulsive symptoms and in the color of the face. Like ELAPS, it h
as a spasmodic contraction of the sphincters, followed by sudden
VITHOULKAS ACADEMYrelaxation. In convulsions,
HOMEOPATHY EDUCATIONtheWRITINGS
surface
back are affected. Suddenly a shock is felt which passes like lightning from head to foot and then comes
    

HELLEBORUS than Lachesis. But CICUTA has, like the snake-poisons, great difficulty in breathing from s
spasm is followed by disproportionately severe weakness.

CAMPHOR is readily distinguished from Lachesis by the coldness, and by the withdrawing of the lip, sho

Lachesis is indicated in erysipelas of the face. Characteristically, the disease will be most marked on the
takes on a dark bluish hue. There is considerable infiltration into the cellular tissue, so that we have puffi
bluish face, is the accompanying weakness. Even from the beginning, when the skin is yet red, the pulse
the head is affected sympathetically, so that the patient readily becomes drowsy, with muttering deliriu
loquacity, which I have already mentioned, obtains.

You must now distinguish this erysipelas of Lachesis from the remedies that are akin to it; among these
resemblance to Lachesis. But in the course of the disease, when the inflammation is so intense that the
the brain becomes affected, differentiation is necessary. Here, both have hot head and cold feet, deliriu
symptoms fail to yield to Belladonna; when the excitement gives way to muttering stupor, the pulse is w
fading vitality rather than to the upward tendency of the blood. CROTALUS holds the same relation to B

APIS MELLIFICA is indicated in erysipelas when the affected parts exhibit a tendency to become oedema
water. The face is usually of a pinkish hue or it may be dark purplish, but it never has the deep bluish-b

Although there may be a similar destructive tendency, the condition of nervous irritation produced by t
It is a fidgety, nervous state, a fretted feeling, which deprives the patient of sleep, though he feel sleepy

RHUS TOXICODENDRON is suited to the vesicular form of erysipelas. The patient is drowsy as under Lac
dark red, not the bluish-black of the LACHESIS nor the purple of the intensified APIS case.

If vesicles form in the Lachesis case, they quickly fill with pus. Speaking relatively, Rhus produces more v
red inflammation with gangrenous tendency.

EUPHORBIUM, since it causes gangrene with erysipelas, anxiety as from poison, apprehensiveness, dim
dark red hue; vesicles form as large as peas, and are filled with a yellow liquid. The pains are boring, gna
the ear, with itching and crawling, when pains are relieved.

Lachesis may be indicated in prosopalgia when the pain is worse on the left side and when there are te
around the malar bone. Delirium appears as soon as the eyes are closed.

The teeth decay and crumble. The gums are swollen and bluish with throbbing pains. Lachesis may be s
filled tooth, as may also MERCURIUS, HEPAR and SILICEA.

Of the allied remedies in toothache none is so similar as MERCURIUS, which, like Lachesis, relieves whe
the root. It is said to have a direct action on the dentine. The pains are tearing and pulsating, and shoot

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the same time dark red and livid; or, it is tense and hot, and looks as if it would crack. Mercurius is mark
latter, or is needed at once, if the patient has been previously
VITHOULKAS salivated.
ACADEMY Only Mercurius
HOMEOPATHY has dirtyWRITINGS
EDUCATION gums,
    

In sore mouth, aphthae, etc., Lachesis should be compared with BAPTISIA, NITRIC ACID, MURIATIC ACID
CARBO VEG., STAPHISAGRIA, KALI CHLOR., IODINE, SULPHURIC ACID, NITRIC ACID.

BAPTISIA has blood oozing from the gums, which look dark red or purple, salivation, foetor, offensive st
indicated in the stomacace attending the last stages of phthisis. Decide by general differences and also
centre, with red, shining edges. In the latter, it is red, dry, and glistening, especially at the tip, and has it

NITRIC ACID causes an acrid saliva, the pains in the mouth are pricking in character as from a splinter, t
shooting pains.

MURIATIC ACID presents deep, bluish ulcers, with dark edges, mucous membrane denuded in places, w

ARSENIC looks very much like Lachesis, with livid, bleeding gums, edges of tongue blistered or ulceratin
restlessness, compelling motion in spite of the weakness. In GANGRENA ORIS it causes more acute pain
ulcers. Arsenic has more mental irritability.

APIS has blisters marking the border of the tongue, or in clusters. The mouth is usually rosy-red, swolle
feels scalded, as does the mouth generally.

CARBO VEG., STAPHISAGRIA, SULPHURIC ACID agree more with Mercurius; the gums are white, spongy,
which look bluish-red or yellow ; especially is it needed after abuse of Mercury or. in syphilitic cases, wh
the eyes, etc. SULPHURIC ACID requires great debility, yellowish white gums, yellow skin, the patient is n
which, however, is not observed by others.

SALICYLIC ACID causes the common canker sores, with burning soreness and foetid breath.

LYCOPODIUM produces these sores near the fraenum of the tongue, Lachesis at the tip, and Nitric acid

PHYTOLACCA has some systematic resemblance to Lachesis here as well as in the throat (see next lectu
around the eyes, sore mouth, tongue blistered along the edges, tip of tqngue red, roof of mouth sore, p
pain at the root of the tongue when swallowing. These pains are a part of the tired aching and soreness

HELLEBORUS produces canker in the mouth, but the sores are yellowish, with raised edges.

Returning to the subject of decayed teeth, it may be noted that KREOSOTE cures pains from teeth to lef
dark; but the accompanying facial pains are burning, and the patient is excitable; nervous, even, as in ch

THUJA causes a decay just at the border of the gums, leaving the crown apparently sound. Gums dark r

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