A Glance on Spiders

Spiders form the largest and most widely distributed order of class of animals called ARACHNIDA; which also includes the scorpions, harvestmen, false scorpions, mites and ticks. There are about 22,000 different species of spiders, of which about 500 are British. The largest are found in Central America and have a body length of about 3.5 inches; the smallest species are less than a 25th of an inch long. Bodies of animals belonging to class Arachnida - consists of 2 parts. There are 02 types of spiders --------

ARANOMORPHÆ or DIPNEUMONES: With 01 pair of lungs. They spin cobwebs in the air. Their poison glands & ducts are elongated and the claws move horizontally like pin. E.g. Tarentula Hispania.

MYGALOMORPHÆ or TETRAPNEUMONES: With 02 pairs of lungs. They always live in funnels and tubular holes in the ground. Some close these beautifully lined holes with a lid like a hinge door. They have short glands & ducts and their fangs move vertically. E.g. Tarentula Cubensis Mygale.

More species belong to the Aranomorphæ and they are called the true spiders or Tarentulas [in the new nomenclature Tarantula]. Bodies of animals belonging to class Arachnida - consist of 2 parts ----

The front - head & chest closely joined, forming cephalothorax. They have a pair of jaws, a pair of pincer claws and 4 pairs of legs - all attached to the cephalothorax.
The behind - the abdomen.

Greek Mythology

In ancient Greece there lived a woman, called Arachne, who was famous for her skill in weaving. Her skill at her art made her very conceited, thinking that there was none better than her. In her conceit she challenged the Goddess Athene to a weaving contest. Arachne's effort was very beautiful and it aroused jealousy in Athene was felt threatened by Arachne. Athene was the goddess of all weaving. In her fit of rage she tore Arachne's wearing to pieces. Arachne was very upset and she hung herself, where upon Athene changed her into a spider and condemned her to go on weaving forever. Hence, the name Arachnida, which really means "Children of Arachne".

:: MEDICINES ::

• Aranea Diadema.
• Aranea Ixolobo.
• Aranea Scinencia.
• Aranerum Tela (cobweb).
• Latrodactus Hasselti.
• Latrodactus Kalipo.
• Latrodactus Mactans.
• Mygale Lassidora.
• Tarentula Cubensis.
• Tarentula Hispania.
• Theridion Curassavicum.

Doctrine of Signature / ORGANOLEPTIC SENSE
A spider attacks suddenly and disappears before the victim can react. This explains the sudden onset of symptoms.

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

• All spiders have marked action on blood - giving a true picture of blood poisoning & Septicæmia.
• Marked action on the CNS - resulting Anxiety, Trembling, Twitching, Restlessness, Over-sensitiveness, Nervous prostration, Chorea and Involuntary movements of single or group of muscles.
• Instability is the outstanding feature. Instability of action, purpose, wisdom etc.
• Periodicity - Symptoms recur annually.
• Affinity towards skin; causing deep destruction of tissues.
• Modalities: Aggravation bright objects, touch, noise, light, coition, after or during menses. Amelioration music, smoking, rubbing.
• Smoking amelioration: Tarentula h., Tarentula cub., Arania diadema, Arania ixolobo.
• Desires: Alcoholic drinks, ashes, bananas, cold drinks, seasoned food, raw food, tobacco.
• Aversions: Bread, meat, chocolate,
• Sexual excitement, lascivious; but < coition - leading to sadness, weakness, dyspnœa etc.
• Rapidity of onset of symptoms.

MENTAL SYMPTOMS

• Spiders stay in burrows, holes & light; aversion to society are marked mental symptoms.
• Selfish, cunning, whimsical and quarrelsome.
• Contrariness, within himself as well as to outer circumstances. Obstructive, interfering.
• Great aversion to bright light, objects, colour etc.; < contradiction.
• Sensitive to music. All complaints react to music - not only mental, but physical symptoms also; > music.
• Contrariness; cheerfulness or gaiety alternating with anger & irritability. Aversion to company, but wants someone present nearby.
• Hysterical; causeless weeping; feigning and malingering.
• All mental symptoms are > by eating & walking.

DREAMS OF SPIDERS

• Aranea Diadema: Frightful, anxious.
• Mygale Lassidora: Absurd (strange), ludicrous.
• Tarentula Hispania: Animals, wild animals, animals pursuing him, bulls pursuing him, horse, business, contempt, danger, dead bodies, death, falling from horse, insults (abused), long & many dreams, misfortune (accidents, disaster, events, unfortunate, loss), pleasant (joyous, peaceful, quiet, wonderful), pursued by animals; can remember dreams.
• Theridion: Body parts, teeth breaking off, horses, horse riding, journeys (difficulties, to foreign country), many.

: ARANEA DIADEMA :

Papal / Cross Spider - Dr. von Grauvogl (1832) 

1. Hydrogenoid constitution. Aggravation of all symptoms exposure to damp & cold.
2. Unvaried and unchanging periodicity.
3. Indicated in malarial fevers
4. Headache; > smoking, in open air.
5. Pain os calcis; sensation of swelling; continued motion >.
6. In fever, chilly day & night; always > in rain.
7. Toothache < in night; periodicity is marked.

: ARANEA IXOBOLA :

1. Right sided head ache; > in open air, smoking.
2. Sciatica; left sided; < standing for a long time.
3. Trembling; sensation of an internal trembling.
4. < rich & fat food, after drinking alcohol; > walking in open air, coffee, smoking.

: ARANEA SCINENCIA :

A gray spider found in Kentucky. This spider does not spin web & is found in old walls.

1. Constant twitching under eye lids.
2. All symptoms are < in a warm room.

: ARANEA TELA :

Cobweb of black spider found in barns, cellars, dark places.

1. Periodic headache; with extreme nervous erythism.
2. Obstinate intermittence.
3. Symptoms come suddenly; with cold clammy skin.
4. Dry asthma.

: LATRODUCTUS MACTANTS :  

Spider found in South America; prepared from small female spider. In this group of spider after mating, female eats male - which is much smaller in size. Hence it is known as "Black Widow Spider". Proving done by Dr. John Brand bury and Dr. A W Blair. Introduced into Materia Medica by John and Tafel.

1. It produces a typical picture of Angina pectoris, accompanied by restlessness & prostration. Violent præcordial pain; extending to axillæ & down to arm, forearm and to fingers; with numbness of extremities.
2. Pulse feeble and rapid.

: LATRODUCTUS HASSELI :

New South-Wales black spider.

1. Chronic blood-poisoning.
2. Arrest intense pain in pyæmia.
3. Great œdema of neighbouring hood of wound.
4. Constant delusion of flying.

: LATRODUCTUS KALIPO :

New Zealand spider.

1. In Lymphangitis and Nervous twitching.
2. Scarlet; burning eruption.

: MYGALE LASIODORA COBANO : 

Cuban spider (large, black-live) - J. C. Howard

1. Prepared by putting live black Cuban spider in alcohol.
2. One of the principle medicines for Chorea. Twitching of the muscle of the face is characteristic.
3. Unsteady gait. Constant motion of whole body.
4. Mouth and eyes open & close in a rapid succession.
5.  > in deep sleep; < morning.

: TARENTULA CUBENSIS :

Large brown hairy spider found in Texas & South California.

There is an interesting history of this remedy as described by Dr. T. F. Allen. Tarentula Cubensis was being shipped to London in a container with alcohol to preserve it. On the way the container broke, the alcohol ran out and the specimen decomposed. However, potency was made from this specimen and thus Taren- cub. is a very important remedy for Carbuncles, abscesses, boils and swellings.

1. A toaxemic medicine. Adapted to most severe type of inflammation, pain & persistent prostration.
2. Pain of death-soothes the last struggle great hyperæsthesia of female sexual system - leading to extreme sexual excitement.
3. Carbuncle; burning, stinging pain.
4. Abscess; with pain and inflammation predominates.
5. > by smoking in open air.

: TARENTULA HISPANIA :

Marquis Nunez of Spain

The spider from which this remedy is prepared is a species of wolf spider LYCOSA TARENTULA. It is found mainly in Italy & Spain. Lycosa is a viscous looking creature with two large fangs and long legs which enable it to scurry rapidly in pursuit of its prey.

Poisoning effects: - The bite of the Tarentula is very painful & it produces a state called 'Tarantulism' or 'Tarantism'. The symptoms are either accompanied with or followed by an irresistible urge to dance with frenetic agitation. Tarantism, which was impossible to control, could be suppressed & cured by music; with a fast & strong rhythmic beat. The victims on hearing the music became excited and danced faster & faster till they fell down tired & sweating and got rid of the poison. This would last for 3 days.

Pharmacology: - Venom of this spider has affinity for the motor and sensory functions of the nervous system resulting in severe restlessness and uncontrolled agitation. In the sensory sphere, there is excessive sensitivity & excitability of all senses; light & glaring colours irritate & <; also noise frightens and <. Affinity with the lymphatic & circulatory systems - gives rise to cellulitis, lymph node enlargement & vascular congestion; associated with facial pallor.

Typology: - Especially suited to mobile, restless people - who cannot stay in one place and move constantly. The Tarentula type can be described as a woman with a changing, contradictory personality. She jumps from a state of happiness to melancholic sadness, from calm & gentle behaviour to extreme violence.

To study the mind of Tarentula, one learns quite a lot by observing the patient in the clinic. As soon as he enters the clinic he just roams around the corridor.

Leading Symptoms: -  

• Extreme restlessness. The patient must be in constant motion, though motion <. Desire to jump. Boundless energy. Compelled to be busy, to act. Hyperactivity; rapid movement. Hands & legs in constant motion. Tries to work his over excitability, but lacks control.
• Sensitive to music; > by music, rhythm, massaging, riding on horseback, smoking and dancing.
• Physically affected by colour.
• Chilly; yet desire for and > in open air.
• Twitching; nerves are highly strung; jerking. Starting from sleep. Restless hands & legs.
• Sexual erythism; sensitive genitals.
• Aversion meat, bread, chocolate.
• Desire spicy food, sand, cold drinks, highly seasoned food, salty things, lime, raw food and ash. They scrape the burnt food from bottom of vessel.
• Hysterical disposition; feign sickness; < when observed; > when alone. Sudden changes in mood. Fainting, twitching and choking.
• Selfish, hateful, foxy, cunning, strange fancies; with regard to colours. Violence; throws things, pulls hair, destructive.
• Aversion to red, green, black and all striking colours. Desire to lie down in the dark and not to be talked to. Angered from contradiction.
• Periodicity of complaints. Some complaints occur at the same hour or same period annually.
• Right sided affections. Involvement of the left arm & right leg (Opposite of Agaricus).
• Hyperæsthesia of skin, genitals, eyes (Photophobia), finger tips (needle like sensation).
• Modalities: < or > music; < any strong emotion, grief, excitement; cold, damp weather; exposure to cold air; when walking; yet cannot keep still; noise; light touch; by wetting hands in cold water; bright light; when at rest; at night; after coitus; washing head. > dry, sunny days; in the sun; open air (vertigo is aggravated out of doors); warm room; firm pressure; friction; rubbing; after a nose-bleed; dancing.