Lachesis muta

REMEDIES FOLLOWING THE FIRST OR PRODROMAL STAGE OF TYPHOID FEVER

LACHESIS

Lachesis is one of our best remedies in typhoid, and may be indicated in any except the first and last stages. Its symptomatic indications are very positive and reliable, as follows: Muttering stupor, even almost complete insensibility; sleeps with mouth open; dry, red, or black tongue, which, on attempting to protrude, trembles and catches on the lower teeth (this indicates great weakness). The stools are very offensive, whether formed or not, and if there is hemorrhage, it is of dark decomposed blood, with sometimes an appearance as of flakes of charred straw in it; the throat seems full, with loud breathing, and the patient, though stupid, is very restless, seems to feel suffocated and does not like to have anything about the throat or chest, throws off the covers therefrom; but, as is not the case with other remedies, if he does get any real sleep all his sufferings are greatly aggravated. The more he sleeps the worse he feels. This cannot be emphasized too strongly. I have seen several just such cases as this and can testify that Lachesis is a “friend indeed.” Time and again I have seen a serious case changed to a mild and easily managed one, within twenty-four hours, by the 200th potency of this wonderful remedy.

I will, I hope, be pardoned if I seem enthusiastic here, for it is hard to withhold my praise justly due such an old and faithful servant. It is sometimes a little difficult to choose between this and some other remedies having equally depressing effects upon the sensorium, but if we do not allow ourselves to be hurried in the examination of such serious cases, but take time, examine closely, and choose deliberately, it will pay.

WHEN APPARENTLY WELL CHOSEN REMEDIES DO NOT ACT

The elder Lippe once said to me that Lachesis was a remedy that could, like Sulphur, sometimes be used on the indication, “when other apparently well-chosen remedies do not act.” I have found this true to this extent even as I have with Sulphur. When between Rhus tox. and Arsenicum, or Hyoscyamus and Opium, where the depression and stupor or weakness had points of resemblance, or one or the other of them had been tried, or the case was not developed in all the characteristics of one remedy, that a few doses of Lachesis did seem to develop and clear up the case so as to make the indications more unmistakable. But I believe it must be true that if all the symptoms had come out at that time Lachesis must have been the indicated remedy, for there are no exceptions to similia similibus curantur. It is seldom that we find a case of typhoid fever that can be carried through the course on one remedy. If, however, the exact similimum is prescribed at the beginning there will be no running through a course. If we are not reasonably sure of our remedy, on account of an undeveloped case, it is better to wait a while than to “fire in the dark,” for we are liable to do more harm than good. To be sure it sometimes takes more courage to stand than to fight, but we want to know what we are fighting and where to aim our guns.