Pyrara = Phractocephalus hemioliopterus/=
Pirarara/= (Redtailed) Catfish
Vergleich: Siehe: Pisces + Tierische Fetten
[Iman Navab]
The chances are that a majority of homeopaths today are not prescribing
Pyrarara (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) as a homeopathic medicine anymore as
it became a rare
or a forgotten remedy. This fish was recognized and classified in the
year 1801. It is only found in the fresh waters of the Amazon and South
America, and it has several
other similar species that are generally known as red-tail catfish. However
the true type of the Pyrarara is found in Brazil. The local people do not eat
this fish because it
has black meat.
In homeopathy, the fat of this fish is used as the starting material to
make a medicine used for a variety of skin conditions. It has been observed
that Pyrarara, as a remedy, complements the medicinal action of Sulphur in skin
disorders. According to a publication
of Boericke & Tafel (1915), a homeopathic physician in New York, Dr.
Frederiok Dearboni stated that when he visited Rio, he asked his homeopath
friends if they knew of any new remedies, and Pyrarara was introduced to him. Dr.
Dearboni wrote , “Pyrarara appealed to me because of its manifest dermal
indications and because I was able to procure, through the endeavors of Dr.
Theodore Gomes, a small supply of the extract, and by the courtesy of Dr.
Marques de Oliveira, a genuine clinical record. Before proceeding to the
recital of the clinical case, it might be well to mention that the use of
Pyrarara is not limited to the treatment of Lepra, but has been used to relieve
a number of dermatoses. The exact diagnoses of these conditions were hard to
determine,
but their descriptions would lead me to think of the tuberculides, the
syphilides, sclerodenna, vitiligo, chloasma; elephantiasis, varicosed vessels
and the attendant dermatitis, gangosa, and the varieties of gangrene. I
received some positive assurances as regards its use in varicosities. Pyrarara
is not listed in any group of Brazilian or South American remedies that I can
discover and has not been scientifically proven, but I hope the following
translation of Dr. Oliveira’s notes may be of interest.”:
Pyrarara
“The lard of the Pyrarara, a fish of the Amazon river, was brought from
Acre by Major Carpenter of the Engineers, who offered it as a curiosity to Mr.
Liberato dos Santos. The Major said that he had heard from the inhabitants of
the Amazon valley that the lard has the property of changing the color of the
pigments of parrots fed upon it and
that a person abusing the use of the fish, as a food, would develop Lepra or
symptoms similar to that disease. After a talk with Mr. dos Santos, he gave me
some of the lard
for homeopathic experimentation on people affected with lepra. The
following is the result:
Maria Theresa, 36 years old, has suffered from lepra since she was 19
years old. The first appearance of the disease was on the extremities of her
fingers and on her face after suppression of menstruation. She was treated by
Dr. Gabizo for three years without any result and by many other doctors, using
various medicines but still no result was attained. The disease had reached the
highest state of development; her anatomic structure had become deformed and
her facial changes took away from her the appearance
of a human being. Her body was covered with nodules and ulcers in
constant suppuration; her ears were inflamed and deformed; her nose was
ulcerated and corroded; her lips were ulcerated; her throat was so affected
that her voice was completely lost; her arms looked like a piece of raw flesh;
and the phalanges of all her fingers were destroyed. Certain areas of the skin
were anesthetic and there was a general coppery discoloration.”
“It was at this period that she came to me. I proposed experimenting
upon her with the new medicine, which she reluctantly accepted after many days
of insisting.
In June of 1905, we began our treatment; at first using the 3rd
decimal trituration with a dose of three tablets every three hours, applying
externally Vaseline with calendula. The first month there was no apparent
dermal improvement, but her appetite increased. I then began to use the 5th
decimal potency and during the first two weeks there was
a great transformation. Through the open lesions came a discharge of a
whitish color tinted with blood and very thick. Her appetite became very good
and digestion regular, but she became prostrated and suffered from neuralgic
pains in the head, face, and feet. During the month of August the inflammation
of the lips was disappearing and the wounds of the lips healing. She was very
cheerful with the result. At the beginning of September the ulcers had ceased
suppurating and her general state was very good.
As the menstrual periods came, she felt great pain in the ovarian
regions, so Pulsatilla 30th was given to her and the menses
appeared, although very weak.
I then gave Pyrarara in the 30th potency for a few days and she continued to
improve. The nodules diminished in size and the ulcers became almost dry. About
this time Aurum met. 5th potency and afterward Apia mel. 5th
potency and Cuprum met 5th potency were used as the symptoms called
for. On the following month the menses came freely. In November I returned to
the use of Pyrarara 30th potency. The healing of the wounds
continued and only three ulcers were to be found on the whole body, one on
the forearm, one on the foot, and one on the middle finger. The
tumefaction gradually disappeared, except on the ears. General condition was
very good. By the 25th of December one could hardly detect her
sickness. The intense redness of her face was gone; the forehead was white, the
natural color having returned; the lips, mouth and throat were normal; while
the ears were still affected, the nodules had disappeared; the body was free
from ulcers and nodules; the forearm completely well. Only one ulcer on the
middle finger was to be found. She could move the deformed fingers, but the
sense of touch was not complete. This medication has been tried since on
different people with splendid results, but lack of persistency has prevented
complete cures. On other patients the Pyrarara has been used, employing the
centesimal scale of potencies.”
By analyzing this old case, we can detect that an anti-miasmatic
treatment plan would help, and perhaps Pyrarara is a beneficial medicine as an
intercurrent remedy.
However it would be great to use this remedy more in current clinical
cases, so we can learn more from Pyrarara!
Vorwort/Suchen Zeichen/Abkürzungen Impressum