Latrodectus Mactans

To the ready pen and luminous insight of S. A. Jones, and to the labours of A.

J. Tafel, who furnished data and materials, we owe the introduction of this remedy into the

materia medica. In a most interesting article communicated to the Homeopathic Recorder of

July, 1889, and reproduced by Anschutz: in New, Old, and Forgotten Remedies, Jones relates the

• ▸facts concerning this spider and the effects of its bite, recorded by E.
• ▸W.
• ▸Semple, M.
• ▸D.
• ▸, in the

• ▸Virginia Med.
• ▸Monthly of 1875.
• ▸—Case 1.
• ▸A man bitten on the prepuce.
• ▸At first there was itching;

in less than half an hour nausea followed by severe abdominal pains. Soon after, violent

precordial pains, extending to axilla and down left arm and forearm to fingers with numbness of

the extremities and apnoea. Dry cupping was resorted to and the blood that flowed was thin and

florid and uncoagulable. This was before Semple arrived. He then found most violent precordial

pains, the left arm almost paralysed; pulse 130, very feeble. Skin cold as marble, countenance

expressive of deep anxiety. At eight next morning, in spite of stimulants and pediluvia, the

symptoms were worse and continued to increase until 2-30 p.m. Pulse uncountable and scarcely

to be felt. Vomited black vomit, a quart or more. Soon after, reaction set in and the man

gradually recovered. He had two copious stools like the black matter vomited, and after that felt

quite well. In thirty-six hours from the time he was bitten he took 3 1/2 quart bottles of the best

rectified whisky without, showing the least symptom of intoxication. Jones considers the order of

the occurrence of these symptoms of great importance, and notes that the precordial region was

• ▸the chief /ocus of attack.
• ▸Linnell (WV.
• ▸A.
• ▸J.
• ▸H.
• ▸, Dec.
• ▸, 1890) records a case of angina pectoris, pain

in precordial region and left arm, brought on by slightest exertion, cured with Lat. Mac. 3.

Extreme anxiety.—Screams fearfully, exclaiming that she would lose her breath and

die.

• ▸Anxiety.
• ▸Screams with pain.
• ▸Pain in neck to back of head.
• ▸Occipital pain.

Expression of deep anxiety.

11, 12. Stomach and Abdomen.—Nausea followed by severe abdominal pains (1/2

• ▸h.
• ▸).
• ▸—Vomited black vomit copiously; which > (26h.
• ▸).
• ▸—Severe abdominal pain with nausea, and a

sinking sensation at epigastrium.

13. Stools—Two copious evacuations similar to the black vomit.

Extreme apnoea. Gasping respiration. Fears losing breath.

Violent, praecordial pain extending to the axilla and down the arm and forearm to fingers, with numbness of the extremity. Pulse feeble and rapid. Sinking sensation at the Cramping pain from chest to abdomen.

Violent precordial pains extending to axilla and down I. arm and forearm to fingers

with numbness of the extremity and apnoea.—Later, most violent precordial pains and pain in 1.

arm, which was almost paralysed.—Pulse 130.—Pulse so frequent it could not be counted and so

• ▸feeble it could scarcely be felt (26h.
• ▸).
• ▸—Pulse quick and thready (in few minutes).
• ▸—Pain extends

from bitten r. hand to back of head; more violent pain in precordia, extending thence to 1.

• ▸shoulder and axilla, down arm to finger-ends, |.
• ▸arm partially paralysed; |.
• ▸pulse extinct, r.
• ▸pulse

doubtful.—Pain in precordia with apnoea; screaming fearfully, exclaiming that she would lose her

breath and die.

Violent pain extending from bite on r. wrist, up forearm and arm to shoulder,

thence up neck to r. back of head and precordia; thence down I. axilla and arm to finger-tips, 1.

• ▸arm partially paralysed.
• ▸—Stinging in r.
• ▸wrist, with itching and redness of bitten spot; in 1/2 h.
• ▸,

painful sensations extended up arm to shoulder; in lh. along neck to back of head; later, pain in

precordia and apnoea; screaming fearfully.

24. Generalities—When cupped the blood flowed like water and would not coagulate; not even

when tannin was added next day.—In 36h. from the time he was, bitten he took 3 1/2 quart

bottles of the best rectified whisky without the least sign of intoxication.—Itching, and redness of

part bitten, at first without pain, but violent pain soon commenced there (back of 1. hand) and

extended in a short time up forearm and arm to shoulder and thence to precordial

region.—Apparently moribund.

Pain in left arm, feels paralyzed. Weakness of legs followed by cramps in the abdominal muscles. Paraesthesia of lower limbs.

Coldness of whole surface. Skin cold as marble.

• ▸Compare: Lat.
• ▸k.
• ▸and other Arachnida.
• ▸Helod.
• ▸(coldness).
• ▸Lach.
• ▸, Spig.
• ▸, Act.
• ▸r.
• ▸,

• ▸Cact.
• ▸, Kalm.
• ▸, Lycopus, &c.
• ▸(angina pectoris).
• ▸Sanguisug.
• ▸(non-coagulating hemorrhages).

• ▸Compare: Latrodectus Hasselti-New South Wales Black Spider--(Long lasting effects seem to indicate it as a "chronic" blood poisoning.
• ▸Arrests intense pain in pyaemia.
• ▸Great oedema in neighborhood of wound; paralysis of limbs, with great wasting of muscles.
• ▸Violent, darting, burning pains preceding paralysis; vertigo, tendency to fall forward; septicaemic conditions; constant delusion of flying.
• ▸Loss of memory.
• ▸Roaring noises).
• ▸Araena; Mygale; Theridion; Latrodectus Kalipo -New Zealand spider--(lymphangitis and nervous twitchings, scarlet burning eruption).
• ▸Triatema-Kissing bug --(Swelling with violent itching of fingers and toes.
• ▸Smothering sensation and difficult breathing succeeded by fainting and rapid pulse).

Sixth potency.