Cantharis vesicotaria Anhang
[Rajan Sankaran]
Cantharis (prepared from the spanish fly) is a remedy of the animal
kingdom. It belongs to the Insect class. I have had a patient who did extremely
well on Cantharis.
She had consulted me for recurrent urinary tract infection, with
burning, scalding, cutting pain during micturition. The urine would be passed
in drops and each drop would
be excruciatingly painful, so much so that she would cross her legs and
cry out for help, asking her mother to do something. She said the pain was so
bad that she wanted
to tear her abdomen, to remove the offending part. She was very animated
in her conversation and was also very competitive. If someone offended her, she
would feel like breaking his head. But she was very sympathetic towards animals
and even liked to nurse sick street dogs. She had fears in the darkness. If she
had to be alone in the dark,
she would feel that a witch would come from behind her, and grab her
neck with very cold hands; she could almost feel those hands on her neck. The
rubrics that led me
to Cantharis, apart from the physical symptoms were:
Delusion, choked by icy-cold hands.
Anxiety, night.
Delirium, crying, help, for.
Rage, fury.
Violent, vehement.
First impression, it seems to belong to the
acute miasm,
and seems to be related to Lyssinum
Other rubrics:
Busy fruitlessly.
Cheerful, gay, happy, alternating with sadness.
Contradict, disposition to.
Delirium, maniacal.
Delusion, injured, is being.
Destructiveness.
Wildness.
Striking at imaginary objects around him.
Excitement, convulsive.
Fear, mirrors in the room.
Fear, water, of.
Insanity, madness, strength increased.
Nymphomania.
Contemptuous.
Phatak’s Materia Medica:
Cantharis attacks the urinary and sexual organs… Setting violent
inflammation and causing frenzied delirium… Inflammations are violently acute
or rapidly destructive…
Pain: cutting, smarting or burning – biting or as if raw, causing mental
excitement… Convulsions with dysuria or hydrophobic symptoms.
[Alta Vogel]
The reaction is violent. He feels harassed and let down by his own
friends, and reacts to this oppression violently (Sankaran, 1997:224). Some examples were extrapolated
from the software Encyclopedia Homoeopathica (Archibel, 2004) to support this:
“Pain; raw, sore, burning in every part of body, internally and externally;
with extreme weakness” (Allen, 1879).
GENERALS - WEAKNESS (Schroyens, 2001). “Oversensitiveness of every part
of body & excessive weakness” Great weakness (Vermeulen, 2002:375):•
"Such lassitude that she could hold nothing in her hands." •
"Continually tired (r.).
"Considerable prostration of strength, a sort of progressive
languor." "The whole body feels crushed to pieces; every part is
sensitive, internally and externally, with such weakness that she can scarcely
rise from bed." [Allen]
“Characteristic of the remedy is that it produces very intense and
violent inflammations that develop extremely quickly. In urinary conditions the
state proceeds with such speed that within minutes the irritation and burning
become so intense, that the patient screams from pain when urinating. In Kent's
words: 'Taken internally it proceeds
almost immediately to attack the urinary tract and establish a uraemic
state...
The local inflammatory condition comes on with great rapidity, and this
brings the patient down violently sick in a great hurry... The parts become
gangrenous at an early state.' “(Vithoulkas, 1992).
“Sexual desire :increased both sexes; preventing sleep; violent
priapism, with excessive pain; violent frenzy of three days continuance;
violent headache; violent pain, as if sore, internally in the head; pain in the
left orbital arch, “As if pressed violently with a blunt instrument”;
eructations becoming daily more frequent and violent; violent thirst; violent
retching and vomiting of the contents of the stomach and bilious mucus; violent
nausea” (Allen, 1879).
Diseases –
VIOLENT, illnesses (Murphy, 1993).
BLADDER - URGING to urinate - violent (Schroyens, 2001).
FEMALE GENITALIA / SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE - violent (Schroyens, 2001).
MIND - DELIRIUM - violent (Schroyens, 2001).
RAGE - violent (Schroyens, 2001).
VIOLENT (Schroyens, 2001).
The following tubercular keywords were represented in
Cantharis: “Head oppressed” (Allen, 1879). “Breathing oppressed and
constriction of the larynx” (Allen, 1879).
“Oppression of breathing, with sensation of constriction of the pharynx”
(Clark, 1904).
MIND - MOOD - changeable (Schroyens,
2001).
“The emotional state may undergo changes from a cheerful and talkative
mood to discontent, great depression and despondency with incessant moaning, or
an introverted, pensive, sluggish and indifferent state of MIND” (Vithoulkas,
1992).
MIND - DEFIANT (Murphy, 1993). “The inner tension that is expressed by
restlessness and anxiety finds genuine release only in sexual intercourse, but
there are also defensive and aggressive ways to bring it to the surface.
The proving symptom 'Defiant and contradictory mood in the afternoon' is
one manifestation of it, which has been confirmed by clinical evidence”
(Vithoulkas, 1992).
“Very active, happy; she feels as if newly born” (Allen, 1879).
“Dreams during the night, active, confused, not anxious” (Allen, 1879).
“A key-note in this remedy that sometimes occurs during sexual activity
is that pressure on the throat is unbearable” (Vithoulkas, 1992).
Mind: ACTIVITY, mental - increased (Murphy, 1993).
MEMORY, general, active - forgetful (Murphy, 1993).
ACTIVITY - desires activity (Schroyens, 2001).
BUSY - fruitlessly (Schroyens, 2001).
- Burnt out, going towards total destruction
“There are sudden attacks of unconsciousness, loss of strength, extreme
weakness, prostration, great emaciation, fainting and collapse and general
coldness” (Vithoulkas, 1992).
- Ideas abundant, clearness of but their fatigue can lead to mental
passivity, confusion, and aversion to mental work
- Time is short, too much to be done
DELIRIUM violent (Schroyens, 2001). RAGE violent (Schroyens, 2001). VIOLENT (Schroyens, 2001). ACTIVITY, mental increased (Murphy, 1993). MEMORY, general, active forgetful (Murphy, 1993). ACTIVITY - desires activity (Schroyens, 2001). MOOD changeable (Schroyens, 2001). „The emotional state may undergo changes from a cheerful and talkative mood to discontent, great depression and despondency with incessant moaning, or to an introverted, pensive, sluggish and indifferent state of mind“ Vithoulkas, 1992). DEFIANT (Murphy, 1993). „The inner tension that is expressed by restlessness and anxiety finds genuine release only in sexual intercourse, but there are also defensive and aggressive ways to bring it to the surface. The proving symptom 'Defiant and contradictory mood in the afternoon' is one manifestation of it, which has been confirmed by clinical evidence“ (Vithoulkas, 1992). „Very active, happy; she feels as if newly born“ (Allen, 1879). Ideas abundant, clearness of MIND but their fatigue can lead to mental passivity, confusion, and aversion to mental work Time is short, too much to be done
Eye: FEVER; during - agg. (Schroyens, 2001).
“Secondary eczema about scrotum and genitals, following excessive perspiration“
(Vermeulen, 2000:376).
“Symptoms > during perspiration” (Vermeulen, 2002:377).
- Weakness in respiratory system, leading to frequent coughs, colds and
flu
“Hacking cough, frequently” (Allen, 1879).
”Frequent dry hacking cough” (Allen, 1879).
”Several short paroxysms of dry cough, caused by irritation in the
larynx, with more rapid respiration and a sort of tightness in the chest”
(Allen, 1879).
NARROWING of intervals between eyelids (Schroyens, 2001).
Abdomen: HEAT - fever, during (Schroyens, 2001).
PAIN - compressed; as if (Schroyens, 2001).
Bladder: URGING to urinate - fever, during (Schroyens,
2001).
URGING to urinate violent (Schroyens, 2001). Male Organs:„A key-note in this remedy that sometimes occurs during sexual activity is that pressure on the throat is unbearable“ (Vithoulkas, 1992).
„Secondary eczema about scrotum and genitals, following excessive perspiration“ (Vermeulen, 2000: 376). Female Organs: Violent (Schroyens, 2001).
„Stitches in the ovarian region, so bad that are so painful/intense as to arrest breathing“ (Vithoulkas, 1992). „Sexual desire increased both sexes; preventing sleep; violent priapism, with excessive pain; violent frenzy of three days continuance; violent headache; violent pain, as if sore, internally in the head; pain in the left orbital arch, as if it was pressed violently with a blunt instrument; eructations becoming daily more frequent and violent; violent thirst; violent retching and vomiting of the contents of the stomach and bilious mucus; violent nausea“ (Allen, 1879).
Respiration: SUPERFICIAL (Schroyens, 2001).
COMPLAINTS of respiration (Schroyens, 2001).
DIFFICULT (Schroyens, 2001).
“As
if being caught, suffocated and compressed” (a picture of a man being trapped
in a very narrow tunnel)
“Threatening suffocation” (Allen, 1879) .
SUFFOCATION; attacks of (Schroyens, 2001).
IMPEDED, obstructed (Schroyens, 2001).
“Burning or biting about larynx, & contraction, or constriction
almost to suffocation” (Vermeulen, 2000:379).
“Fine but sharply drawing pain in a narrow line extending downward, deep
in the right cervical muscles” (Allen, 1879).
SUPERFICIAL (Schroyens, 2001). COMPLAINTS of respiration (Schroyens, 2001). DIFFICULT (Schroyens, 2001).
Cough in
general (Schroyens, 2001).
CROUPY (Schroyens, 2001).
On EXPIRATION (Schroyens, 2001).
LOOSE (Schroyens, 2001).
- Weakness in respiratory system, leading to frequent coughs, colds and flu „Hacking cough, frequently“ (Allen, 1879). „Frequent dry hacking cough“ (Allen, 1879). „Several short paroxysms of dry cough, caused by irritation in the larynx, with more rapid respiration and a sort of tightness in the chest“(Allen, 1879).
Larynx TUBERCULOSIS (Murphy, 1993).
„Burning or biting about larynx, & contraction, or constriction almost to suffocation“ (Vermeulen, 2000: 379).
Chest: OPPRESSION (Schroyens, 2001).
Back: „Fine but sharply drawing pain in a narrow line extending downward, deep in the right cervical muscles“ (Allen, 1879).
Limbs: COLDNESS - Hands - fever, during (Schroyens,
2001).
PAIN - fever, during (Schroyens,
2001).
URETHRA - NARROW; sensation as if -
spasmodic (Schroyens, 2001).
COLDNESS - Hands - fever, during (Schroyens, 2001). PAIN during fever (Schroyens, 2001).
Dreams: BUSY, dreams being (Murphy, 1993).
„Dreams during the night, active, confused, not anxious“ (Allen, 1879). Fever: Tend to be feverish, sweating a lot
INTENSE heat (Schroyens, 2001). Perspiring: „Symptoms > during perspiration“ (Vermeulen, 2002: 377).
Generals: inflamed- intense (Schroyens, 2001).
“Stitches in the ovarian region, so
bad that are so painful / intense as to arrest breathing” (Vithoulkas, 1992).
Tend to be feverish, sweating a lot
“Diphtheritic inflammation of throat,
with constriction amounting almost to suffocative dyspnoea, etc.” (Allen,
1879).
Pathologies of tuberculosis
VIOLENT COMPLAINTS (Schroyens, 2001).
Reacts violent. Feels harassed and let down by his own friends, and reacts to this oppression violently (Sankaran, 1997:224). The following tubercular keywords were represented in Cantharis: „Head oppressed“(Allen, 1879). „Breathing oppressed on account of constriction of the larynx“(Allen, 1879). „Oppression of breathing, with sensation of constriction of the pharynx“(Clark, 1904). „Pain; raw, sore, burning in every part of body, internally and externally; with extreme weakness“(Allen, 1879). Pathologies of tuberculosis
Cantharis vesicatoria (Spanish Fly)
1st impression: seems to belong to the acute miasm, but Cantharis also matches the main feeling in the tubercular miasm, a sense of oppression. It is a feeling that one’s weakness is being exploited. Homeopathic Remedies for GWI/GWS
[Erika Price]
Canth.: Illnesses from inflamatories with inflammation and burns with
raw, burning, scalding pain. Cystitis and Urinary Track Infection: with
intolerable constant frequent urge to urinate in small amounts; painful urging
to urinate with burning, cutting and scalding pain in bladder and extending to
urethra; urine scalds; burning pain before and during urination; aching after
urine; acute and chronic inflammation with constant and intolerable urge to
urinate in small amounts; cutting pain in bladder after urination extending to
kidney. Skin: blisters and blister-like eruptions, burns, scalds. Burning, raw
pain in general. Burns: pain of, with raw, burning, scalding.
Blisters: to prevent before they form if friction is probable cause.
Kidney Stones: pain like a knife stabbing in all directions, burning
pain in bladder and intolerable urge to urinate.
<: Urinating (before, during and after); drinking cold water or
coffee; sound of water; right-side; touch, approach; bright objects;
>: Rubbing; warmth; belching, farting; cold applications; alcohol,
wine;
Anxious and restlessness, anger and irritability, ending in rage. Sexual
mania, excitement during pains. Attempts to do something constantly, but
accomplishes nothing. Hydrophobia.
[Philip Degroote]
Physical Examination and Observations in Homoeopathy
Physiognomy and examination
Sensitivity of the nerves along the spine:
- l° Cervical right
-3° Cervical left
-3° Dorsal Left - 12°
Dorsal right (- stomach, kidneys)
- l° Lumbar left (- spleen,
bladder)
Sensitivity of the third left dorsal nerve, with pain on pressure at the
height of the anterior axillary line.
There is a pivot-turning of the spine, which:
- makes turn the left crista iliaca forward.
- blocks the right ribs and creates a pressure on the left lung. There
is a muscular contraction between the spine and the left scapula.
- creates a torsion of the 12° dorsal and l° lumbar vertebra.
Both kidneys become sensitive.
The patient has also more difficulties in crossing the left thigh over
the right, then the reverse.
As result of the torsion at D12 - Ll, the supra-pubic region is
sensitive in a diagonal direction. When pressing with the index-finger, right
upper, and middle-fingers, left lower, the supra-pubic region is hard.
Doing the reverse, the supra-pubic region is soft (see figure). One can
unblock that torsion in supine position by flexing the crossed legs (crossed at
the height of the ankles, with the left ankle over the right one)
over the chest during expiration.
Frequently, the spleen is enlarged.
Contraction of masseters (lockjaw).
Muscle-tests:
- Weakness of the right musculus supraspinatus* (relation with the
conception vessel meridian).
- Weakness of the left musculus latissimus dorsi* (relation with the
spleen meridian).
- Weakness of the right musculus sternocleidomastoideus* (relation with
the stomach meridian), by which the head is turned to the right.
Target organs: urinary organs (parenchyme of kidney), genitalia and
serous membranes.
Professions, hobbies: manual workers, sporters.
Clinical Observations:
Acute (sexual) mania with increased sexual desire: shameless, curses,
tears own hair and things, strikes. Hysteria with urinary troubles.
Anxious restlessness ending in a rage, aggravated by shining objects or
touching the larynx. Salivates during rage. Makes also convulsive motions or
throws arms
involuntary about.
Pusillanimity and timidity.
Sudden loss of consciousness with red face.
Enormous dandruff. Coryza with pain in limbs.
Erysipelas beginning on dorsum of nose and spreading to (r.) cheeks.
Hippocratic face.
Swollen, red throat with aphthous ulcerations (fauces).
Chronic gastritis with dysuria.
Inflammation of bladder with bloody urine and tenesmus.
There is scanty urine, even if one drinks a lot.
Urging to urinate from hearing running water.
Polakysuria.
Bloody emission (Lyc). Increased smegma.
During pregnancy, there is often involuntary urination.
During labour: hair falls out when combing.
Parturition, after: falling of hair and paralysis of bladder.
Dry, hacking cough with erections.
Pleuritis. Epicarditis.
Emprosthotonos. Opisthotonos.
Cold sweat (hands and feet)
During sleep: uncovers the feet.
During fever often cold hands and feet.
Scalds.
Pityriasis (Kind)
Vesications on the skin.
Burns of the first degree with small blisters (Apis: large blisters).
Sunburn. (Locally, a 3x -ointment, even in cases of herpes zoster).
After intoxication with vinegar.
Violent spasms (convulsions) reproduced by touching the larynx.
Energetic points
Weihe point: situated on the vertical line, which is going through the
inferior angle of the scapula, when the are arms hanging down, at the lower
border of
the 12th rib, bilaterally (= Bladder 50).
TL:-Kidney 11, bilaterally. -
Bladder 27, bilaterally.
- Bladder 65, bilaterally.
- Conception Vessel 7 (this point is situated just below the umbilicus).