by C.M. Boger — General Analysis
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Cantharis appears in 12 of the 13 classic books on Similia. Each was written to do a different job — here is what each adds on this remedy, with the opening of its entry.
“Spanish Flies (Cantharideae) Oversensitiveness of all parts. Haemorrhages from nose, mouth, intestines, genital and urinary organs. Pain; raw, sore, burning in every part of the body, internally and externally; with extreme weakness. Disgust for everything; drink, food, tabacco. Drinking even small quantities of water…”
“Cantharis vesicatoria, Geoff. (Meloe vesicator, Linn.; Lytta vesicator, Fabr.), Insecta, class , Coleoptera. Common name , Spanish Fly. Preparation , Tincture (or triturations, used for some of the provings) of the imported dried beetles. Authorities.”
“Spanish Fly (CANTHARIS) This powerful drug produces a furious disturbance in the animal economy, attacking the urinary and sexual organs especially, perverting their function, and setting up violent inflammations, and causing a frenzied delirium, simulating hydrophobia symptoms ( Anagallis ). Puerperal convulsions…”
“MEMBRANES (Mucous and serous): URINARY ORGANS. Bladder. Pharynx. Brain. Pleura. Lower bowel. Pomum adami. Skin. Right side. URINATING. Drinking; cold. Bright objects. Sound of water. Touch; larynx. Warmth. Rest. Rapid and intense action. Excitement during the pains. CUTTING-SMARTING or BURNING-BITING PAINS; as if raw…”
“vesicator. Lytta vesicator. Spanish fly. N. O. Insecta, Coleoptera. Tincture or trituration of living insects. Bladder affections / Burns / Chordee / Diphtheria / Dysentery / Eczema / Emissions / Erotomania / Erysipelas / Eyes, inflammation of / Gastritis / Gonorrhœa / Herpes zoster / Hydrophobia / Kidneys, affections…”
“Spanish Flies. Cantheærideæ. Unconsciousness, lies with outstretched arms ; sudden starting up, screaming, throwing arms about. θ Metritis. Sudden loss of consciousness with red face. θ Dentition. Lies in a stupor with cold surface and occasional jerks. Uremic coma, delirium and convulsions. Forgetfulness. Strange…”
“The most important feature of this medicine is the inflammatory condition, and the most important characteristic in the inflammation is the rapidity with which it develops into a gangrenous state. inflammation conditions usually follow a definite course for days, but when this medicine is put upon a part or taken…”
“Violent burning with soreness in all parts of the body, especially in the cavities. Sensation of cutting in inner parts. Sensation of dryness in the joints. Tearing and stinging from without to within. Tetanic spasms compelling to bend forward or backward often aggravated by the sight of water. Debility bordering on…”
“Anxious restlessness, ending in rage. Paroxysms of rage, with crying, barking and beating; they are renewed by the sight of dazzling, bright objects; when touching the larynx; when trying to drink water. Amorous frenzy, with shameless, unchaste gesticulations. Delirium. Hydrophobia. Soreness and burning in the brain…”
“Common name: spanish fly. The kind of suffering to which Canth. is best adapted, is of a violent, destructive character (G.). The burning pain and intolerable urging to urinate are the red strands of Canth. in all inflammatory affections (A.). Violent burning, with soreness in all parts of the body, especially in the…”
“Frequent urging to urinate, with straining and cutting, burning pains. Small unsatisfactory quantity passed at a time, or bloody urine. Excessive burning pains (eyes, mouth, throat, stomach, intestinal tract; all the mucous surfaces and skin). Stringy and tenacious discharges from the mucous membranes. Nearly all…”
Kent's Repertory lists Cantharis in 2,322 rubrics. These are the ones where it carries the highest grade — the symptoms Kent treated as most characteristic. Most of them sit in GENERALITIES (237), EXTREMITIES (220), MIND (196), HEAD (189), BLADDER (115).
