Bitis
atropos
http://ir.dut.ac.za/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10321/1065/SCHONFIELD_2013.pdf?sequence=1
Vergleich: Commonsx of Bitis arietans arietans, Bitis
gabonica gabonica and Bitis atropos
Siehe: Schlangen allgemein
[Victoria-Leigh Schönfeld]
The homeopathic drug proving of the substance Bitis atropos 30CH took
the form of a double-blinded, randomised, placebo controlled trial. A total of
28 provers
took part in the proving, 21% (6 provers) were randomly administered
placebo, the other seventy nine percent (22 provers) were randomly administered
verum (active proving drug).
The Puff Adder is a slow moving and bad tempered that may hiss when
disturbed (Marias, 2004:63). Although the Puff adder is a slow sluggish snake,
it can strike rapidly
(Marias, 2004:64).
Vergiftung: The venom of differs to the other
adders in that it is mainly neurotoxic, with specific action to the optic and
facial nerves (Marais, 2004:69).
According to Davids (2008), the neurotoxin from Bitis atropos can cause
temporary blindness which can last 4-5 days and in severe cases up to 3 weeks.
There can be different degrees of blindness including double vision,
dilation of pupils and an inability to focus, followed by complete paralysis of
the eyelids.
Effects on the facial nerve causes ptosis of the eyelids, dizziness and
loss of taste and smell, bite victims may also experience difficulty in
swallowing, and respiratory distress (Marais, 2004:39).
University Of Adelaide-Clinical Toxinology: Other effects Resources,
include local pain at the site of the bite, swelling, bruising and local
necrosis to the surrounding area although rare can
occur and become moderate to severe. Systemic effects of venom can
include headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dizziness, and
convulsions (University of Adelaide, 2012);
The venom of the snake is mainly cytotoxic (Marais, 2004:65)
Once envenomation occurs, the local site demonstrates severe oedema,
followed by bruising and blistering of effected part (Spawls and Branch,
1995:116). Death is rare, and
complications usually occur from development of disseminated blood
coagulopathy (Spawls and Branch, 1995:116)
The original proving of Bitisarietans arietans produced a total of 555
rubrics, of which 116 were new rubrics, as well as producing 472 clear symptoms in the Materia Medica, of
these,
156 were classified under mind, 50 were general symptoms, 28 in
extremities, 24 were symptoms in the head, 23 were dreams and 18 were in the
back and neck (Wright, 1999: iv).
The most outstanding symptoms were noted to effect the mental state of
the provers; the provers experiencing sensations of ‘spaciness’ and
disconnectedness. In addition, the
general energy levels were affected producing mainly lethargy and
fatigue (Wright, 1999:iv). Other notable effects on the provers were seen as
pain and distension in the abdomen,
sprains and stiffness of the musculoskeletal system, tenesmus in the
rectum, asthmatic symptoms as well as a predominance of menses that occurred
too early and were too heavy.
Sense perception:
Generals (Wright, 1999:107-109)
Tiredness, lethargy, fatigue, exhaustion
Stiffness
Food and drink: desire for ice cream and peanut
butter
Appetite, diminished
Thirst, increased
Cold sensitive and chilly, coldness and cold
sensations
Weekly periodicity
Oedema
Bradycardia
Heaviness in the head
Dryness of membranes
Modalities: >: rubbing; <: movement;
Musculoskeletal (Wright, 1999:109)
Stiffness
Spraining of joints
Abdomen (Wright, 1999:109-110)
Pain, cramping
Distension
Flatulence, borborygmi and rectal tenesmus
Female genitalia/sex (Wright, 1999:110)
Menses: too early, much heavier
Dysmenorrhoea
Increased libido
Respiratory (Wright, 1999:110)
Bronchial asthma, expiratory wheeze, tightness
Hay fever, itching and sneezing
Congested or weight sensations produced in the
chest
Bitis gabonica gabonica (Thompson, 2004)
This snake is found mostly in Southern Africa in moist, thickly wooded
lowland forests and moist savannas (Marais, 2004:66). The Gaboon Adder is the
largest and most attractive of the
African vipers (Spawl and Branch, 1995:116). These snakes are mainly
active at night, but may be seen basking in the sun. It is a huge, sluggish
snake that may remain in a single place for
days (Marais, 2004:66). Compared with the Puff Adder (Bitis arietans
arietans), Bitis gabonica gabonica is surprisingly placid, but when disturbed
is said to “huff and puff” a great deal
(Marias, 2004:67).
Butterfly adder
The Gaboon Adder has potently cytotoxic venom and is comparable with
that of the puff adder, except the venom is injected in much larger quantities
(Marais, 2004:67). If bitten, the site
will rapidly swell until the entire limb is swollen. The pain is said to
be intense, haemorrhagic oedema and blistering at the bite follows rapidly and
hypotension, cardiac damage, dyspnoea
and unconsciousness may occur; there is haemorrhage, with haematuria and
haematemesis as possible sequelae; necrosis and the need for amputation are
possible; death is not rare
(Spawls and Branch 1995: 116-)
Proving symptoms:
This remedy was made from a fresh specimen, unlike in the proving of
Bitis arietans arietans. Manufacture process was a modified version of the
method 5a of the German Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia (GHP) (1991), subsequent
impregnation of lactose granules followed the method 10 of the German
Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia (GHP) (1991).
The remedy produced symptoms mainly in the mental and emotional state.
The most prominent symptom being isolation, a sense of being alone and forsaken
(Thompson, 2004: iv).
A feeling of social detachment and of being an “outsider” was
experienced. This remedy reflected the “Divided” nature of all snake remedies.
Provers felt panicked and as if they were under
threat. There were delusions of being divided, that body and mind are
divided, that they are separated from themselves in some way. Headaches very
common, and were mostly left sided,
mainly in forehead and temples and tended to refer to the eyes, the neck
was also affected. Other areas that were affected was the nose, and the stomach
(Thompson, 2004:iv)
MIND (Thompson, 2004:109)
Isolation/being alone/desire to be alone
Panic/feeling threatened
Separation from self/scattered
Depression/sadness/crying
Well being
Irritable
Sensitivity
Mistakes/poor concentration/forgetful
Confidence/lack of confidence
Mental activity: hyper/hypo-active
Calm/confusion
Placebo
Bloating/expansion
DREAMS (Thompson, 2004:110-111)
Isolation
Chaotic/Fragmented
Of Parents and Relatives, both dead and living
Of Conflict/Fear/Escape
HEAD (Thompson, 2004:111)
Left sided, located forehead and temples
Pain of a pressing nature
Heaviness and constriction
NOSE (Thompson, 2004:111)
Left sided
Sensitive to cold
Postnasal discharge
Watery discharge
THROAT (Thompson 2004:111)
Tension
Pain
Mucous
Dryness
Sensation of lump in throat
GENERALS (Thompson, 2004:111)
Chill easily
Flushes of heat
Weakness
Swollen sensation
Modalities: better for rubbing , worse on
wakening
Food and drink: desire for coffee, chocolate,
warm food and drink, and sweets
EYES (Thompson, 2004:112)
Left sided
Swelling and inflammation
Feeling of heaviness
Vision blurred, photosensitivity
GENITALIA/SEX (Thompson, 2004:112)
Pain
Left sided
Vaginal discomfort during coition
Thick, bland, white leucorrhoea
EXTREMITIES (Thompson, 2004:112)
Twitching muscles
Dry feet
Hands perspire
Rashes and boils on upper and lower limb
Pain in knees on walking
EAR (Thompson, 2004:112)
Pain in ear
Right ear
Sensation of fullness
Buzzing sounds in ears
BACK (Thompson, 2004:112)
Cervical region-stiffness and pain
Tension
Other symptoms to note: (Thompson, 2004:112)
distension/bloating in the abdomen;
diarrhoea, constipation and sudden urging;
difficult respiration, sighing and desire to breathe deeply; oppression
of the chest, pain and constriction behind the sternum
difficulty sleeping at night with sleepiness in the day
thirst
burning pain and the sensation of a lump in the stomach
There is a metallic taste in the mouth and profuse salivation, the
palate and tongue are sore.
Other related research
Provings of other snake venoms in addition to those previously discussed (Bitis arietans arietans
and Bitis gabonica gabonica) have taken place over the years at DUT, namely
Naja mossambica (Taylor & Smal, 2004), Hemachatus haemachatus (De la
rouviere, 2008) and Dendroaspis angusticeps (Hansjee, 2010).
Table 2.2 summary of methodology applied in other snake provings
conducted at DUT
Proving substance Starting substance & manufacture
method Sample size
Verum: placebo
Naja mossambica
(Taylor & Smal, 2004)
Fresh venom. GHP methods 2a and 2b respectively
13:7
Hemachatus haemachatus [De la Rouviere & Cahill 2008]
Freeze dried venom. GHP methods 5a,
impregnation of granules, method 1030 24:6
Dendroaspis angusticeps (Hansjee, 2010)
Freeze dried venom. GHP methods 5a, impregnation of granules, method
103024:6
Naja mossambica (Mozambiquan Spitting Cobra)
The Mozambique Cobra is usually found basking near a retreat or in
forage on over cast days, but is mostly active at night. This snake is a
retiring snake that seldom stands its ground.
If threatened, the snake will spread its hood, but not hold the pose for
long. Its most common defense is to eject or spit its venom
(Marias, 2004:108). The venom predominantly cytotoxic, causing serious
localised tissue damage, slightly neurotoxic causing symptoms such as
drowsiness, fatalities are rare (Marias, 2004:109)
The venom used to manufacture the proving remedy of Naja Mossambica
30CH, was prepared from a fresh specimen. According to Small (2004), the mother
tincture and potencies were manufactured according to method 2a and 2b
respectively in the German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia (GHP), Fifth edition
(1991) to the First Edition (1978).
The proving of the snake venom Naja mossambica (Taylor, 2004) produced
the most symptoms on the mental state of the provers. Some of these symptoms
experienced were heightened emotions which oscillated between feeling extremely
high, motivated and manic to then feeling extremely low, depressed and antisocial
(Taylor, 2004:vi).
Polarity regarding emotions experienced was also noted, for example:
irritability, anxiety and restlessness were found along with a carefree
attitude, laziness and a spaced out sensation.
A strong delusion of separation was observed in some of the provers
(Taylor, 2004: vi). The most outstanding symptoms on the physical plain were a
preponderance of eye symptoms
and headaches connected to the eyes. Mouth and tongue symptoms were
noted, with the mouth being either extremely dry or with increased saliva.
Some other physical symptoms produced included throat and neck
complaints, peeling hands, painful stomach cramps and nausea. Provers
experienced ravenous hunger even after
eating and fullness after only eating small amounts. Pain in the
ovaries, difficulty breathing, muscle twitches and pain and inflammation of
axillary lymph nodes were found in some provers.
There were violent and vivid dreams where the prover woke believing them
to be real. Many provers felt an increase in body temperature and temperature
fluctuations (Taylor, 2004: vii).
COUGH: morning on waking/only at
night/IRRITABLE/IRRITATION from throat in pit/LOOSE/PAINFUL/PAROXYSMAL (attacks
follow one another quickly/long paroxysms)/
PERIODICAL/prevents sleep/< SUGAR/SUFFOCATIVE/TALKING/< talk/in
throat/VIOLENT
SKIN: “As if cold”/dry
ERUPTIONS (boils/itching/pimples)
Itching (moles/stinging)
SENSITIVE to sun
UNHEALTHY
Possible clinical indications of
Bitis atropos
Based on the symptoms produced in the proving of
Bitis atropos, by applying the Law of Similars, this remedy could be
indicted for the following clinical conditions:
Absent mindedness/ confusion
Fatigue
Insomnia
Irritability
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Diarrhoea
Asthma/ asthma type symptoms
Pharyngitis/laryngitis
Headaches- especially frontal headaches
Sinusitis
Allergic rhinitis
Lower back pain
Neck pain
Muscle cramps
Eye pain
Vertigo
Skin eruptions
Ear infections
5.6 The essence of the remedy Bitis atropos
The researcher felt that the essence of the remedy Bitis atropos was the
theme of antagonism and polarity within oneself. These themes can be seen
extensively
in the materia medica that was produced by the remedy. The theme of
polarity Antagonism with oneself
Vulnerability
Close mindedness
Clairvoyance
Fear of attack/being attacked from behind
Feeling of being pursued
Desire to hide
Increased sexual drive
In addition to these themes stated above, Thakkar (2007:68) mentions
that snakes possess a powerful intensity of emotion. They can be very religious
and spiritual, and can display great anxiety of conscience. The snake remedies
are suspicious and tend to be quarrelsome, they like to display aggression on
confrontation and may even be said to come across as behaving in a territorial
manner, much like that of the animal itself.
Clinical themes according to Thakkar (2007:56) include:
Skin: Dry skin
Tendency to suppurate
Boils
Acne
Psoriasis
Eye: Dryness
Blurry vision
Slow digestion
Heart burn
Increased appetite
Over eating
Inability to tolerate hunger
Asthma
Bronchitis
Tonsillitis
Premenstrual syndrome
Premenstrual breast tenderness
Sensitive to temperature changes
The researcher noticed that many of the themes and symptoms mentioned
above were experienced by the provers during the proving of Bitis atropos 30CH,
namely those of antagonism with oneself, jealousy, spirituality, a sense of
clairvoyance, and a fear of attack. The researcher observed that fears of being
pursued and fears of being attacked from behind were well represented in the
dreams of the provers of Bitis atropos.
Physical symptoms shared with the above mentioned themes included skin
ailments such as boils, dryness of skin, pimples (acne), and whitlows. In
addition there were symptoms involving the eyes
including dryness of the eyes as well as respiratory symptoms that
resembled that of asthma, increased appetite and sensitivity to changes in
temperature; either being too hot or too cold.
Table 5.1 – Correlation of general snake themes with the materia medica
of Bitis atropos
Author
General snake theme
Correlating examples of symptom(s) of Bitis atropos
Sankaran Antagonism
with oneself Antagonism with what the body desires (02F), the internal
urge to be judgemental, and yet being easily sociable and a desire to be free,
and mischievous, and yet the feeling of suspicion toward other people (03F), a
desire to “shed this good boy persona and become liberated” (04M), as feelings
of rebellion; to rebel against what is meant to be done, and against
responsibility (06M), Antagonism with one selves identity (19F)
Clairvoyance
Guessed a test question correctly, felt a bit psychic”(19F)
Fear of being attacked there was a fear of thieves breaking into the
house (02F), fear that someone would break into the house through the window
(09F)
Feeling of being pursued being pursued and of being chased by
someone (35M), dreamt of being chased by
men with weapons (23M)
Increased sexual drive
Libido increased (34F), an increase in libido (04M) Thakkar
Religious and spiritual
Increased physical and spiritual energy(06M) desire to pray, praying
ameliorates (02F)
Aggressive something inside of me wants to come
out to attack these annoying people around me (18F), “The frustration toward
people also experienced in the form of
road rage” (20F)
Dry skin the skin was extremely dehydrated
and dry (20F) Boils described eruptions as boils that were on the left side of the groin (02F),
Acne Eruptions namely pimples (24F) on
the face (02F) pimples in the forehead (04M)
Dryness of the eye There
was a dryness of the eyes, with a burning sensation (33F)
Heart burn burning pain in the stomach and felt
it was due to a high acid level (13F)
Increased appetite Increase
in appetite (02F, 15F, 20F, 24F, 25F)
Inability to tolerate hunger sensation of being hungry all the time,
craving any foods that would stimulate them (02F),
Hunger was described as “insatiable” (20F)
Asthma unable to breath “can hardly breathe” (02F), experienced
especially at night( 30F),
Breathing became difficult after
slight exertion (33F), had quite a tight wheezy chest
” (04M), wheezing with a concomitant
cough( 35M)
Sensitive to temperature change craved the suns warmth (02F),
Enjoyed the warmth, it made me feel a bit better” (04M), sensation of
being too hot experienced by one prover (17F), feeling cold, despite the
climate being hot (18F), A sensation of coldness
occurred (20F)
Comparison with Bitis arietans arietans
The venom of the puff adder is mainly cytotoxic. Known to strike
rapidly, and can be found throughout S. Africa and is responsible for many
snake bites around the country (Marias, 2004:64).
Bitis arietans arietans was proven at DUT by Wright in 1999.
There are 83 rubrics shared by the remedies Bitis arietans arietans and
Bitis atropos.
The mind section shared 23 rubrics, generals there were 9 shared
rubrics, and the head shared 7. The eye and dreams each shared 5 rubrics,
respiratory section shared 4, and cough 2. The throat, chest, extremities,
stomach, female and stool all shared 3 rubrics each. The back, urine, male,
ear, abdomen, rectum, bladder and mouth all shared 1 rubric each.
The most outstanding symptom in the mental sphere for the remedy Bitis
arietans arietans was the feeling of ‘spaciness’ or being ‘spaced out’. This
symptom was also described as being intoxicated with alcohol or cannabis. The
feeling was said to be a feeling of disconnection, left out of the group,
separation from their environment or their body. Similar feelings were
experienced in proving
of Bitis atropos; prover 15F described herself as feeling dazed “I feel
a bit dazed as if my mind is elsewhere”, prover 18F felt the separation that
was described in the proving of Bitis arietans arietans
as “I am here but my mind is somewhere else”, a sensation of the mind
being separated from the body.
There was a state of complete lack of energy in Bitis atietans arietans,
provers were said to be lazy, slothful and dull, this was experienced by prover
02F who described the laziness as “Just lazy, don’t want to do anything”
(02F:18:XX:XX).
Any task that required energy was a major physical effort. The same lack
of energy was seen in Bitis atropos, together with a feeling of lethargy (06M).
The proving of Bitis arietans arietans produced a feeling of confusion
(speech and writing, as well as conversation). The provers were said to
absentminded, forgetful and had difficulty concentrating.
Bitis atropos had similar symptoms, where the provers found it difficult
to converse as well as to concentrate, this was experienced by provers 02F, 06M
who experienced difficulty expressing words and prover 18F who felt it
difficult to compose and understand sentences. They had an inability to focus on
tasks as their thoughts seemed to drift to other things (15F, 18F, 20F). The
researcher noted this theme can also be related to the sensation of spaciness
experienced in Bitis arietans arietans. There was a difficulty expressing words
and sentences with a confusion of words, much like the symptoms produced in
Bitis arietans arietans.
However, in contrast to the above mentioned symptoms of the lack of
focus and concentration, a feeling of increased focus and concentration
occurred in the proving of Bitis atropos.
Prover 06M experienced the feeling of being more organised than usual,
and more productive with tasks at hand. There was a great feeling of depression
in Bitis arietans arietans, the provers found themselves with a great sense of
melancholy. This symptom does not present itself significantly in the proving
of Bitis atropos, there was a general feeling of sadness felt by provers 14F,
30F.
Prover 03F felt a sense of despair, prover 04M experienced feelings of
loneliness and prover 19F felt the most sadness about life in general, and
found it to be worse in the afternoons.
Feelings of anxiety and irritability occurred in Bitis arietans
arietans; these symptoms were shared by Bitis atropos, irritability-being one
of the most prominent symptoms of the proving of
Bitis atropos where 50% of provers experienced some degree of
irritability. Provers 03F, 19F and 20F were found to be very easily irritable,
and mostly irritated by other people. Prover 20F and 24F
tended to become very short tempered and prover 18F felt the need to
attack.
The researcher noticed that the attack behaviour demonstrated by the
provers is much like the characteristic of the snake itself, if left alone, the
snake will not strike in defence, yet if bothered, the snake will strike
(Marais, 2004:68). The irritability was also related to hunger (24F, 32F), and
provers found themselves to be more irritated before meals. Provers 18F and 27F
felt a desire to be left alone when in this mood. The feeling of anxiety in
Bitis arietans arietans was mainly felt whilst in a car, where the anxiety
experienced in Bitis atropos was due to the sense of being rushed (20F), and
the anxiety about one’s self image (19F).
The emotion of feeling homesick occurred in both Bitis arietans arietans
and Bitis atropos, this was expressed as the desire to be at home, and to be in
surroundings familiar to them.
Two provers in Bitis atropos experienced the desire to be home, prover
14F felt homesick and had the desire to be at home, and prover 33F felt the
need to be home specifically in order to sleep.
Positive feelings of being energised, happy, full of life, and very
talkative were felt by the provers in Bitis arietans arietans.
Similarly, these feelings also expressed themselves in Bitis atropos.
There were feelings of increased energy (34F, 23M, 20F, 06M), and
cheerfulness (02F, 06M, 18F, 27F, 34M). Emotions that involved positivity were
experienced by prover 18F, as well as an energy for life were felt by the
provers in Bitis atropos (06M, 18F).
Loquacity was shared by both remedies, as well as shared by the general
themes of snake remedies. Provers 34F and 27F felt the need to talk to people
and to connect with them in the proving of
Bitis atropos. The researcher took note that the majority of the themes
formulated in the mind sections of the materia medica of the two respective
remedies were shared.
These similarities are represented in the table below.
comparison of mental symptoms and themes of Bitis arietans arietans and
Bitis atropos
Bitis arietans arietans (Wright, 1999) Bitis atropos
Absentminded and forgetful Absentminded and forgetful
Anxiety Anxiety
Company – desire Desire for company
Concentration difficult Difficulty - concentrating
Conversation Loquacious
Difficulty in speaking Difficulty
- expressing words , sentences
Energetic / over stimulated Increase in energy
Happiness Cheerful
Homesick Homesick
Irritable Irritability
Laziness Laziness
Placebo Placebo
Sensitive to the opinions of others Indignation
Depression Sadness
Difficulty - in reading/with words/in writing/sentences Disconnected from self
Separation from oneself
Dullness Weariness
Exhaustion and slowing down Fatigue, weariness and weakness
No motivation / difficulty in working or studying Difficulty
concentrating/laziness
Polarity Socially
detached / Left-out
Indignation
Spaciness / Spaced-out Spaciness
Talkative Loquacious
The dreams experienced in the two provings were very similar (of
danger/being pursued/of violence. Dreams of men chasing them with weapons, and
the need to escape.
There were sexually inappropriate dreams, and dreams of babies. The
researcher found it peculiar how in both the proving of Bitis arietans arietans
and Bitis atropos there was only
one prover in each separate proving that experienced dreams of snakes.
In the case of this proving, prover 20F dreamt of ‘a massive snake. It looked
like a big fat brown puff adder
and felt scared in the dream. I don’t normally dream of snakes’.
Stiffness was felt in Bitis arietans arietans, and was seen to be a
generalised stiffness, unlike in Bitis atropos, where the stiffness was
specifically located in neck (02F and
33F),
prover 35M found the stiffness > movement.
Food cravings for ice cream and peanut butter in particular stood out in
the proving of Bitis arietans arietans, however the main craving for foods in
Bitis atropos was for salt, and savoury food. Appetite was diminished and
thirst was markedly increased in both remedies, however the appetite of Bitis
atropos was either veracious and insatiable, or completely diminished- the
researcher noticed that the polarity with regards to the extreme hunger or
complete lack of appetite confirms the theme of polarity and antagonism with
one self that is felt to be the essence of this remedy
Bitis atropos, as well as a being a common theme shared by all snake
remedies according to Sankaran (2005).
Temperature sensitivity was experienced by both remedies.
Bitis arietans arietans was cold sensitive and very chilly.
Bitis atropos was both chilly and too warm, again demonstrating the
theme of polarity and antagonism common to snake remedies.
Bitis atropos had a fundamental lack of vital heat, prover 02F described
being ameliorated by the warmth of the sun, and being wrapped up in warm
things, prover 04M describes this need for warmth from the sun as “got some sun
at about 10.30. Enjoyed the warmth, it made me feel a bit better”
Bitis arietans arietans Bradycardia was produced the heart as pumping
slower than usual.
Bitis atropos The heart palpitations were described as “If heart is
knocking on rib cage” by prover 25F, and described by prover 35M as “I noticed
that my heart was beating fast and I was a bit dizzy but after a few minutes I
was okay”.
Bitis arietans arietans, dryness of the mouth lips, throat, eyes, stool
and cough in
Bitis atropos, the same dryness occurred in with the exception of
dryness of the stool in which the opposite occurred; the stool was said to be
loose, and in some cases became diarrhoea.
Bitis arietans arietans, Headaches were described as being heavy in and
mainly felt in the temporal region.
Bitis atropos Headaches mainly in the frontal region and were described
as being throbbing, pulsating, sharp or dull pain.
Bitis arietans arietans, The eyes affected producing 18 rubrics-and were
described as being itchy, and tired.
Bitis atropos The eye symptoms of produced 76 rubrics
Bitis arietans arietans differed to those of and was predominantly a
pain described as a bruised pain in particular by prover 33F and prover 02F, in
addition dryness of the eyes
Bitis atropos dryness of the eyes was a marked symptom
Bitis arietans arietans The nose symptoms in a lot less prominent than
in Bitis atropos, only itching of the nose occurred.
Bitis atropos were significant, the most predominant symptom was the
post nasal drip described by prover 33F as ‘a mucous plug stuck in the throat’.
Nasal congestion occurred in a number of provers (03F, 15F, 19F, 30F, 33F, 35M)
as well as coryza (02F, 03F, 04M, 15F, 30F, 33F, 35M). Prover 03F described
their coryza as burning mucous, and prover 04M described theirs as a
pale green mucous.
Bitis arietans arietans. throat and a sensation of a lump in the throat,
pain and a sense of constriction was felt in
Bitis atropos, throat and a sensation of a lump in the throat, pain and
a sense of constriction was felt in the throat. A sensation of something in the
throat, (not particularly a lump). Prover 19F described it as a ‘ball of air’,
prover 08M described the sensation as if something ‘sticky or slimy’ was in the
throat; prover 35F had a prominent sensation of a mucous plug in her throat,
that
was described by her as being stuck and
resulting in difficulty breathing, 35F also described the sensation of a
splinter in her throat. Prover 17F described a sensation of ‘fullness’ in the
throat.
Pain in the throat was a strong symptom, described as a splinter type
pain, mostly by prover 02F and 33F.
Bitis arietans arietans, Abdominal pain was felt, there was cramping
with distension and a concomitant flatulence, borborygmi and rectal tenesmus.
Bitis atropos The abdominal pain that was experienced in differed
somewhat to the abdominal pain in Bitis arietans arietans, the pain was rather
described as a poking sensation, as well as a hot burning sensation as if there
was too much stomach acid.
There were clear symptoms of bronchial asthma in the proving of Bitis
arietans arietans such symptoms were described as expiratory wheeze, tightness
in the chest, rattling secretions, < at night.
These asthma symptoms were common in Bitis atropos, where a prominent
symptom was a wheeze and tightness of the chest. Wheezing was experienced by prover
04M and was described as,
“I had quite a tight wheezy chest” (04M:20:XX:XX), tightness and
wheezing with a concomitant cough occurred in provers 04M and 35M. The
wheeze was worse when in the lying down
position, and worse at night (04M, 35M).
The menses of provers became was much heavier when taking Bitis arietans
arietans, and seemed to have begun too early. Overflow of menses occurred, as
well as some dysmenorrhoea. In the case of Bitis atropos, the menses were
described as watery by a few provers (02F, 25F). Over flow of menses was
experienced by prover 19F, as well as many clots that were granular in
appearance.
Both the male and female in both remedies compared had an increase in
sexual desire and libido. Prover 34F described herself as having an increased
libido, and also experienced some amorous dreams. Prover 04M had an increase in
libido, this occurred especially at night and even was said to increase in the
mornings.
Comparison with Bitis gabonica gabonica
The gaboon adder is the largest and most attractive of the African
vipers (Spawl and Branch, 1995:116).
Compared with the puff adder, Bitis gabonica gabonica is surprisingly
placid, but when disturbed is said to “huff and puff” a great deal (Marias,
2004:67). The venom of the gaboon viper is mainly cytotoxic, and is injected in
much larger quantities than that of Bitis arietans arietans
and Bitis atropos (Marais, 2004:67).
Bitis gabonica gabonica was proven at DUT by Thompson in 2004.
There were 103 shared rubrics between Bitis gabonica gabonica and Bitis
atropos.
In the mind section 29, head 20, nose 16, eye 6, sleep 6, dreams 4.
Vertigo, stomach, throat and abdomen, respiration, chest all shared 2 rubrics each. Rectum/stool,
female, urine, back, extremities and skin all shared 1 rubric each.
The most prominent symptom seen in the mental sphere in the proving of
Bitis gabonica gabonica was the sense of isolation, and a sense of being alone
in addition there was also a strong desire to
be alone. This desire to be alone was shared with Bitis atropos, and
featured strongly amongst 5 of the provers (06M, 08M, 18F, 19F, 23M). Described
by prover 18 F as a need for hibernation”,
and by prover 23M - the desire to be alone was a result of feeling
overwhelmed, prover 15F felt an indifference towards people, therefore wanted
not to be around anyone. In the proving
of
Bitis gabonica gabonica, a feeling of social detachment and of being an
outsider was also experienced and presented with the feelings of being
separated from themselves and was expressed by
a prover as “felt they were looking at my face and I was behind my face
looking out; I wasn’t in myself; I couldn’t connect with people; I feel very
alone”.
This ‘separation’ was seen in Bitis atropos, where prover 18F stated “I
am here yet my body is somewhere else”, a sensation that the body is separate
from the mind. A great depression and sadness was experienced in the proving of
Bitis gabonica gabonica, described as a melancholic, brooding and tearful
feeling. No depression as such was reported in Bitis atropos, however a feeling
of sadness
was noted by 2 provers, (14F, 30F), prover 04M felt a sense of
loneliness. However contrast to the feelings of depression, there was also
sense of happiness, joyfulness and positivity reported in the proving of Bitis
gabonica gabonica; this cheerfulness was also experienced by some provers in
Bitis atropos (02F, 06M, 18F, 27F, 34F), a sense of positivity was felt by
prover 18F, and prover 02F found herself smiling without reason.
A sense of irritability, moodiness, insecurity was felt by the provers
in Bitis gabonica gabonica, as well as an oversensitivity to others occurred in
the proving; the provers felt irritable towards others, towards their family,
toward trifles, and when overheated. The provers felt most irritable on waking
in the morning. The irritability can be seen in both remedies, especially in
Bitis atropos, where this symptom was one of the most predominant symptoms
experienced in the mental sphere during the proving, where 50 percent of
provers experienced this symptom. The majority of provers felt irritability
toward other people, especially provers 03F, 19F and 20F.
Bitis gabonica gabonica had a feeling of confusion. An unusual amount of
mistakes were made, letters were missed out when writing, dates were confused,
memory was poor, concentration is lacking and the provers were unusually
forgetful. This confusion was very similar to that experienced in Bitis
atropos, where forgetfulness and absentmindedness occurred in 7 provers.
Provers 06M and 03F felt forgetful towards completing tasks, 06M and 19F
misplaced things in wrong places. The confusion and forgetfulness towards
spelling and speech was experienced by prover 06M and 19F, as well as a
confusion with words, and a difficulty expressing words and sentences (02F,
06M). The sense of insecurity in the proving of Bitis gabonica gabonica was
expressed
by provers as feeling sorry for oneself and feelings of insecurity about their looks.
Provers felt they were useless and ignorant and felt unappreciated. Similar
feelings of insecurity in the proving of
Bitis atropos was demonstrated by feelings of inadequacy, where the
provers did not feel good enough and felt like they had to “prove” themselves
in order to acquire others approval. Insecurity was also noted and was
demonstrated in the need to look better, a constant comparison was made to what
others around looked like, and an obsession with their appearance.
An over sensitivity was experienced by the provers in Bitis gabonica gabonica,
as a sensitiveness to reprimand, the provers felt more offended than usual,
there was also an over sensitivity to noise and people. Over sensitivity can be
seen in Bitis atropos where feelings of indignation occurred, as an over
sensitivity towards others and their actions experienced by prover 03F.
Confusion was a strong symptom shared by both Bitis gabonica gabonica
and Bitis atropos. They both had difficulty concentrating, difficulty with
words and sentences, confusion when speaking and writing as well as a general
lack of concentration.
An interesting symptom that was experienced by provers of Bitis gabonica
gabonica, was the feeling that they had taken placebo when in fact they of were
in the verum group. The researcher has noticed this peculiar symptom was common
to all three remedies of the Genus Bitis, and perhaps could be explained by the
theme of suspiciousness shared by all snake remedies (Sankaran, 2005).
As in the original comparison with Bitis arietans arietans, the
researcher noted that majority of the themes found in the mind section of Bitis
gabonica gabonica were also shared with themes of
Bitis atropos. These similarities are represented in the table below.
Table 5.3 - comparison of mental symptoms and themes of Bitis gabonica gabonica
and Bitis atropos
Bitis gabonica gabonica (Thomson,2004) Bitis atropos
Isolation / being alone / desire to be alone Alone / aversion to company
Irritable Irritability
Sensitivity Indignation/sensitive
to opinions of others
Mental activity: hyper/hypoactive Increase
in energy / laziness
Placebo Placebo
Calm / confusion Confusion
Confidence / lack of confidence
Vanity/inadequacy
Depression / sadness / crying Sadness
Mistakes / poor concentration / forgetful Lack of focus/difficulty with words
and sentences
Panic / feeling threatened Fears of robbers
Separation from self / scattered
Freedom/Separation from self
Notable themes, developed from the dreams experienced in Bitis gabonica
gabonica were that of chaos, fragmented dreams, relatives and parents,
conflict, fear and escape. Only two such themes were shared with Bitis atropos,
namely dreams of fear and dreams of escape. Both these themes were represented
by dreams that involved being chased, pursued, especially by men with weapons
and by monsters in the proving of Bitis atropos.
Headaches were a common symptom in Bitis gabonica gabonica, they tended
to be left sided and found to be painful in the forehead region, the temporal
region and were referred to the eyes with
a pressing pain by nature. However, the characteristic headache of Bitis
atropos did not compare to those of Bitis gabonica gabonica.
Instead they were experienced in the frontal region, and ranged from a
dull pain to a sharp pain in nature.
The nose had symptoms mainly in the left side in Bitis gabonica
gabonica, and experienced a discharge that was clear and albuminous, and was
said to be postnasal. The postnasal drip was a very common symptom that stood
out in the proving of Bitis atropos, as well as coryza, which was characterised
as being clear and watery- similar to the discharge of Bitis gabonica gabonica,
although
the discharge of Bitis atropos also had a yellow discoloration, unlike
that of Bitis gabonica gabonica.
Both remedies Bitis gabonica gabonica and Bitis atropos experienced
throat symptoms that were described as dryness of the throat, and a sensation
of something in the throat.
Bitis gabonica gabonica described the sensation as a lump in the throat
and a tightness of the throat, where the sensations in Bitis atropos varied and
was described as a ball of air stuck in the throat by prover 17F, a sensation
of a mucous plug and splinter in the throat (33F), as well as a sensation of
fullness in the throat by prover 17F.
Dryness in the throat was experienced by provers 15F and 33F in Bitis
atropos.
Common symptoms shared in the eye by both remedies Bitis arietans
arietans and Bitis atropos and was described as a sensation of swelling and
inflammation as well as actual swelling and inflammation, the eyes felt heavy
and the lids were sore.
Bitis arietans arietans had eye symptoms that affected mainly the left
side and the lids, where Bitis atropos had eye symptoms that affected the
actual eye, and was described a bruised pain.
The lids however were affected in Bitis atropos, and were described as
being heavy. Vision was commonly affected, yet differed as Bitis arietans
arietans had a sense of photophobia where in
Bitis atropos, vision was described as being strained (02F). Dryness of
the eyes occurred in Bitis atropos.
Bitis gabonica gabonica had ear symptoms described as pain mainly on the
lobe,
behind the ear and also in the meatus.
Bitis atropos also experienced a pain in the ear which was located
inside the ear, and affected mainly the left- contrary to that of Bitis
gabonica gabonica which was mainly affected on the right.
The sensation of fullness of the ear was shared by both remedies, more
specifically described in Bitis atropos by prover 02F as sensation of water in the
ear.
There were rashes and boils on upper and lower limbs of provers in Bitis
gabonica gabonica, similarly skin eruptions on upper and lower limbs occurred
in Bitis atropos, but were characterised more
as pimples or appeared as insect bites as opposed to boils.
There was some pain in the knees in Bitis gabonica gabonica, especially
when walking. Bitis atropos did not have this symptom in common, instead there
was a cramping pain of the lower limbs, especially the calves.
Back pain was a symptom that occurred in Bitis gabonica gabonica, and
was experienced mainly in the cervical region and left side. The pain was
described as a stiff pain and seemed to affect the provers more at night. The
pain was said > lying down. In contrast to cervical pain, Bitis atropos had
pain in the neck that was described as a stiffness and tightness by 2 provers
(02F, 33F). Pain of
the neck was described as a burning pain by prover 17F and dull and
aching by provers 19F and 33F. Back pain occurred in 5 provers (02F, 04M, 18F,
19F, 20F) in the lumbar region and was described as being bruised or aching,
also pain just below the scapulae was experienced. A general symptom shared by
the remedies Bitis gabonica gabonica and Bitis atropos is the sensitivity to
temperature. Both remedies were either too cold, or became cold easily, or were
too hot, having flushes of heat. The researcher noted that these symptoms
correlate with the general theme of polarity or opposite in the snake remedies,
where two sensations which are polar opposite occur in the same remedy. The
researcher also noticed that the temperature sensitivity experienced by the
provers in both remedies can be related to the characteristic feature of
snakes, particularly reptiles of a constant and fundamental need for thermoregulation
(Marias, 2004:22).
Food cravings for Bitis gabonica gabonica: coffee, chocolate, warm food,
and sweets. The desire for coffee was shared by Bitis atropos specifically by
prover 04M. In contrast to craving sweets, salty and savoury food was
preferred, and in fact sweet foods made the provers experience nausea.
Chocolate cravings in Bitis atropos were most strong in the mornings on
waking.
Bitis gabonica gabonica experienced weakness and fatigue, similar to
that of Bitis atropos. The weakness and weariness stood out in the
symptomatology during the proving of Bitis atropos, where provers felt a
fundamental lack of energy as well as in some cases weakness.
A sensation of general swelling which was better for rubbing and
occupation occurred in Bitis gabonica gabonica, this symptom did occur in Bitis
atropos but was not very pronounced as it only appeared in one prover as a
slight oedema of the ankles, with no modalities. The researcher suggests that
perhaps the theme of swelling was represented in Bitis atropos as bloating of
the abdomen,
as opposed to actual swelling/oedema, however bloating of the abdomen
also occurred in the proving of Bitis gabonica gabonica and could therefore
also be associated with the theme of swelling.
Results of the group analysis
The analysis of the remedies found in the genus Bitis resulted in the
following common themes that shared by the three remedies Bitis arietans
arietans, Bitis gabonica gabonica and Bitis atropos.
These themes were compared manually as the remedy Bitis gabonica
gabonica is not found in the electronic version of the repertory Radar version
10 (Archibel, 2007):
Great sense of irritability
Anxiety
Loquacity
Exhaustion
Mental confusion and lack of concentration
Sadness
Disconnection from oneself
Cheerfulness
Sensation of something in the throat
Decreased appetite
Temperature sensitivity
Increased libido
Polarity
A total of 36 rubrics were found to be shared amongst the 3 remedies in
the genus Bitis; (Bitis arietans arietans, Bitis gabonica gabonica and Bitis
atropos)
the shared rubrics being predominately from the mind chapter of the
repertory (13 rubrics):
Mind: absentmindedness
anxiety
cheerful
company, desire for
concentration, difficult
confusion
conversation, aversion to
delusions, separated, world; from the he is separated
dullness
forgetful
irritability
sadness
spaced out feeling
Head: congestion
Pain – forehead/temples (l.)
Eye: heaviness
Pain, burning
Nose: sneezing
Throat: pain
Stomach: (capricious) appetite
Abdomen: distension
Rectum: constipation, ineffectual urging and
straining
Urine: copious
Female Genitalia/Sex: sexual desire increased
Chest: oppression
Palpitation of heart
Back: stiffness, cervical region
Sleep: falling asleep, difficult
Dreams: amorous/nightmares/being pursued
Generals: Desires: food and drink: coffee/sweets;
Weakness
Africa:
Successful provings of indigenous substances that have taken place at
DUT in the last decade include the provings of
Bitis arietans arietans (Wright, 1999),
Sceletium tortuosum (dos Ramos, 1999),
Pycnoporus sanguineus (Morris, 2002), Pilz, produziert Vanillin.
Bitis gabonica gabonica (Thomson, 2004),
Naja mossambica (Smal & Taylor, 2004),
Harpagophytum procumbens (Kerschbaumer, 2004),
Sutherlandia frutescens (van der Hulst, Webster, Kell, Low,
2006),
Chamaeleo dilepis dilepis (Pistorius/Moore, 2006),
Erythrina lysistemon (de Beer, Olivier, Gryn, Thiel,
2007),
Peucedanum galbanum (Wagner & Wayland, 2007),
Gymnura natalensis (Naidoo & Pathar, 2008),
Haemochatus haemochatus (de la Rouviere & Cahill,
2008),
Loxodonta africana –Ivory (Forbes & Speckmeier,
2008),
Protea cynaroides (Botha, 2010),
Dendroaspis angusticeps (Hansjee, 2010)
Strychnos henningii (Ross, 2011).
16 homoeopathic medicines of South African indigenous origin is insignificant
in comparison with the approximate ?3500? proven homoeopathic substances world
wide it is therefore
recommended by the researcher that provings conducted under the
authority of DUT should continue with their endeavours of expanding the South
African materia medica.
Vorwort/Suchen Zeichen/Abkürzungen Impressum