Understanding LYSSINUM

Dr. Claudio C. Araujo M.D., F.F.Hom. (Lon.) et al.

What is his impression of reality?

The first impression that comes to mind is his state of vulnerability to everything around him. He is simply hit violently by everything that surrounds him, in a particularly aggressive way. We could imagine someone being affected by the environment, by the things around them, in a pleasant, pleasurable way. Lyssin is simply hit in a forceful way, external stimuli that trigger headaches, convulsions, diarrhea, in short, which bring about several spasmodic situations. Just look at the cardiac symptoms of pathogenesis and the triggering factors. Another interesting observation: individuals who suffer the most are consequently more affected by rabies and are less resistant to the progression of the disease.

But this state of vulnerability has a special characteristic: we have an individual with powers of divination, people who can see through walls, can know who is present in the other room, etc. In other words, this brings us to one of Lyssin's first and greatest characteristics: it is very likely that the patient will tell us that he has been a seer since he was a child, that he draws cards about the future, that he is capable of rescuing kidnapped children, or that he can guess the type of of death that a certain person will have. And of course, they will be people who are extremely sensitive to everything that surrounds them, needing to be kept in calm, distant places, like the characters in S. Spilberg's film “Minority Report”. And the interesting thing about this film is that the psychics are kept in water, in order to increase their powers. And water is, at the same time, their environment, their habitat and the nightmare of the two characters, the means by which their sensitivity is increased. It seems to us that this is the key to patient Lyssinum's understanding of his intense aggravation with precisely something so fundamental to life and at the same time so simple: water is the universal conductor, it is through it that everything communicates. The sea is the symbol of the collective unconscious, where everything that exists and will exist is present at the same time. And Lyssinum lives immersed in this sea of information and feelings, guessing everything that is about to happen or even what has already happened.

Lyssinum experiences this access to the unconscious with tremendous pain, as if her nervous system were exposed to any and all stimuli, even a breath of air. Interestingly, other conductive metals, such as copper, also profoundly affect it. The sight of water renews his feeling of vulnerability, of being accessed by an immense amount of information that is inaccessible to human beings and that causes him a lot of pain. Hence his spasms, convulsions, heart attacks, etc.

And how does he feel, having been born this way? As he himself states in the symptom that he says about being left in a nest, it was not his merits nor his actions that led him to that situation. And he doesn't even feel comfortable in this state, quite the contrary, he lives like an abandonment, he and the others who share the same fate, all abandoned by the birds of Paradise, all going through hunger, need, paying for a fault that was not committed by them. . Here we could have, in Lyssinum's speech, the information that he did not deserve that gift of divination and that, even though it is his livelihood, he suffers a lot from it.

Lyssinum knows that he is not able to support himself, so he asks the doctors to feed his children, asks them to bring them food. They know that, with all that sensitivity, they will have to be protected by people who care for them and surround them with protection, otherwise they will not have the slightest chance of surviving in this competitive, violent and aggressive world.

They know that their end is near, they are resigned to it. They await the day of death with resignation and tranquility, and can even talk about the subject of death without the slightest surprise. Perhaps because they deal with a different state of consciousness than ordinary people, or because death means for them a cessation of the painful stimuli of existence.

They are aware of the condition they are in and ask (perhaps also due to their hypersensitivity) for people to stay away from them. This must imply an immense difficulty in maintaining any type of relationship. Affective relationships, friendships, work colleagues, everything must be very painful for him. His only possibility is that they will take care of him, protect him, feed him.

The question arises here: would a patient like this, if medicated correctly, lose his divinatory powers? Would he stop being a medium, would he stop psychographing books, would he stop receiving messages from the dead, and would even the cards stop speaking to him?

Groups in Lyssinum

Symptoms from Allen & Hering

Dr. Claudio C. Araujo, M.D. M.F. Hom. (Lon.)

With one´s surroundings

Hyperesthesia, current of air, bright light, sight of any shining object, slightest touch, even conversation in vicinity of patient, may throw him into a most violent agitation and bring on severe convulsions.

Such as were afflicted with grief from any cause were much sooner affected with the disease.

When he hears water poured out, or if he hears it run, or if he sees it, he becomes very irritable, nervous; it causes desire for stool and other ailments.

Attacks of nervous headache become awful and insupportable if he hears water run out of a hydrant.

Even the sight of water, or other fluid, or of anything having the least resemblance to it, such as a looking glass or white substance, whereby an occasion will be given for renewal of idea of their former pain, occasions greatest distress and a return of convulsions.

The mere sight of a drinking vessel containing water is intolerable; they turn away their faces, shriek out loud, beckon anxiously with hands to have the water removed, for voice and breath fail.

The mere thought of fluids, of drinking, of swallowing, or offer of anything to drink, is sufficient to bring on severe convulsions; the same effect is produced by other sources of irritation, such as a simple breath of air, the attempt to touch the sick, every hurried  approach towards him, the light of shining objects.

Copper, if in his room, makes him restless and full of pain.

Everything affects him more powerfully; also tobacco.

Linen dipped in sugar water, put on pit of stomach, gives a sweet taste in mouth.

Severe headache and nose ache upon going to bed, after writing all her symptoms.

Conversation in vicinity of patient may throw him into a most violent agitation. Ringing of church bells makes him anxious, and causes a sharp salty taste, with stitches in heart. Water poured into a basin, with splashing noise, caused paroxysm to be reproduced, with convulsion and agitation. Sudden noise causes involuntary startings.

Hearing water poured out in next room makes him very irritable and nervous. 

 On crossing ferry, soon after eating, noise which water made caused unspeakable torture in her back.

 Convulsions excited by barking of dog, from great sensibility; any other sudden noise, shutting a door or a blast of wind, produce the same.

 During his attacks of chronic headache, which come after mental emotion or excessive mental exertion and last a day or two, he cannot bear to hear running water ; if hydrant is allowed to run in an adjoining room, or even if water is poured into a basin, his  headache increases to an insupportable degree.

After the pain following an evacuation had lessened, and he was sitting at open window, the large street waterplug was opened to cleanse the streets, and as soon as he noticed water running down gutter in front of his house, he was seized with violent pains and had to go at once to the watercloset. θ Dysentery. 

 If during night, or in morning before rising, he heard pouring out of water in next room, he was immediately obliged to rise and have an evacuation. θ Chronic camp diarrhœa. 

 Hearing water poured out brought on convulsions. θ Pregnancy.

Strong odors may start spasms.

 During three days her sense of smell, which is always extremely, acute, became painfully so, particularly in reference to unpleasant effluvia; action of nostrils extremely painful.

 The greatest sensibility to smell of tobacco; tastes snuff while box is one foot distant. 

A musician received a bite from a small pet dog in calf of left leg while walking through a dark entry; the bite was very slight, scarcely wounding skin; the animal was in a healthy condition and remained so; a pain in bitten place kept returning from time to time independently of mind dwelling on it, until it finally grew to a burning which  extended through entire body, causing an indescribably strange  sensation; in night trembling, and a tormenting fear that he would have  hydrophobia; was thirsty and drank water freely; it was two years after the bite when these and the following symptoms appeared; frequent spitting of saliva all through day, only ceasing awhile after taking strong tea in evening; disturbed dreams at night; finally could not partake of food or drink, and complained of pricking  stitches under tongue; mental excitement now as all his life, affects him badly; hot vapor relieved burning pain in bite, and Lyssin 2C. (Jenichen) improved all symptoms rapidly; in three weeks he considered himself cured, and started on a journey.

Not afraid of dogs, but dislikes to see them because their sight renews her fear. Lyssophobia, after bite by a non-rabid dog.                                          

Complains bitterly that a fire has been lighted and that the stove is smoking, although there is no fire; another continually directed a window to be closed, which was not opened.

They fancy that they see objects, animals and men that are not present.

Showing him a bird, he got frightened and thought it was a mouse.

Hears various noises in night. 

With the others

…and with the premonition of imminent death, they beg people to pray for him and not leave him alone.

Felt same rheumatic pain his brother complained of.

Frequent gaping without being sleepy, most when he has to listen to others.

Inclination to be rude and abusive, to bite and strike.

After attacks of fury, evinces great regret at his behavior, making earnest apologies, warning those about him not to allow him to bite them.

Believe that they are reduced to their present wretched condition by the instrumentality of those about them.

Fancies he is being blown at by several persons, some of whom are not present.

Every offense she feels very much.

Imagine that they are being abused, and energetically defend themselves against attacks and insults, which in reality are products of their own fancy.

Implacable hatred against owners of dog that bit her, with inclination to utter maledictions which, by reason of her careful bringing up and sobriety of her parents, shock her dreadfully.

Inclined to use insulting language, scold his friends, beat and abuse those near him.

Cannot bear to hear others sing or eat apples.  

He cautioned people around him not to inhale his exhaled air, it was spoiled, stinking like rotten eggs, worse than cholera, and could injure.

Ordered her husband to go away, as she wanted to bite him, and joining act to threat, she bit herself in arm.

Wrote to doctor: I am waiting with impatience that you give me and my young ones something to eat.

With oneself

Humor

Patients appreciate (in the sense of reflecting) the formidable character of the disease and often speak with a quick and sharp (mental) articulation of the near fatal results of the disease.

Inclination to be rude and abusive, to bite and strike.

A certain wildness of humor.

A kind of savageness in his temper.

Before and after as well as during paroxysms, shrieks, or inarticulate sounds expressive of utmost despair.

Disposed to get angry; flying into a passion.

Feels nervous and irritable.

Fretful, hypochondriac mood in evening.

Very cross, so much so that his children expressed great surprise; he took offense at verist trifles, scolding his wife and children, felt wretched, could not concentrate his attention on anything; sullen, does not wish to see or speak to any one.

Feels depressed and very weak all day.

Had a good cry before going to bed.

Exalted state of smell, taste and touch, with a feeling of anxiety and a fear of being alone.

Mental emotion always makes him worse.

A sudden fright starts convulsions.

After fainting spell he wrote on paper: I am forsaken by all; even the birds of heaven, they do not look at me, do not feed me if hungry; I hunger with the young ones and am thirsty with their she ones; my nest is made out of dirt, not gotten by my own exertions, but by driving them out of their nests and sitting there with the females and  the young.

Driven incessantly about without any definite aim.

Feels as if something disagreeable would happen; when thinking the matter over, the feeling passes off.

The majority of patients have no adequate conception of real origin of their malady and affirm in decided terms that the scar is of no significance whatever and causes them no pain.

They appreciate the formidable character of the disease and speak frequently with a remarkable quick and sharp articulation of the impending fatal results.

Sensation as if she had been bitten in left side of face near mouth.

When reading or writing, felt a pain in lower jaw; the longer she reads the < it got.

Jaws feel sore and stiff  a great disposition to press hand against lower jaw.

During the tranquil intervals responded correctly to questions put to him, recognized those around him, and with a presentiment of impending death begged them to pray for him and not to leave him alone.

He can't shake the indescribable torment that something terrible is going to happen to him.

Thoughts that something terrible is going to happen to him come to his mind against his will. He feels compelled to do reckless things, like throwing the child he is carrying in his arms out of the window, or things like that.

Strange notions and apprehensions during pregnancy

M., had been bitten several years previously by a dog, and reading of several cases of hydrophobia as reported in papers, was found in following condition; crouched in corner of sofa, dark red bloated face, expression of terror in face, eyes glistening, conjunctiva injected red; was brought into this condition by endeavoring to take a drink of water, and could not hear water mentioned without a shudder of fear, could not swallow, pulse very high, tongue dry and coated red; Lyssinum 200 one dose; she was better next day, but had several slight attacks afterwards, always induced by running of water, but always yielding to remedy; has not had an attack in nearly a year.

Lyssophobia; fear of becoming mad.

Feels as if he cannot physically endure his fears much longer and shall be compelled to go into an insane asylum.

Felt as if she was going to die; as if she was going to sink away.

Passed most of his nights sleeplessly, walking up and down in despair. θ Lyssophobia.

Restless, constant bleating in a hoarse voice

Anxiety of mind; restlessness, with great prostration; with pain in heart; with headache; fear of being alone.

...e afirmam decididamente que a cicatriz não tem nenhum significado e não dói.

Deny, with great obstinacy, that they have ever been bitten.

Depressed, as if something would happen.

An attack of mental depression and indifference quite strange to him; feels as if he could do nothing; if he forces himself he lacks mental power.

Sometimes he could control inclination to stool by a strong effort of will, but effort caused much nervous irritation.

It seems to her as if two entirely different trains of thought influenced her at the same time.

Disinclination to change position of head; two distinct trains of thought existing at one time in her mind, the idea that she was unable to move her head (when lying down), with the positive conviction that she has only to make up her mind that she will do it to achieve it.

Indecision even in small matters.

He feels as if he had heard unpleasant news, or would soon hear it; until 4 P. M.

Mortifying news affects him very much.

Insane ideas enter his head for instance, to throw a glass of water, which he is carrying in his hand, into some one's face, or to stab his flesh with the knife he is  holding, and the like.

Makes speeches in his delirium; thinks he is a man of great authority.

Speech labored, short and pathetic.

Dreams: of influential persons to whom he occupies position of servant or subordinate; of a Latin debate with students of law, astonished at facility and fluency with which he spoke Latin, it being far greater than he was capable of in a waking state; of dogs all the time, but they are different dogs from the one that bit her; of fighting, of high places, of insane asylum, of churches ; disagreeable, when she falls asleep, night or day; only in first half hour. 

 Jumped up in bed. 

 During night slept but little; was disturbed by disagreeable, disconnected dreams; felt strangely. Lyssophobia.

She feels as after night watching and great anxiety. Unusually exhausted.

Thinks he is a dog or a bird, and runs up and down chirping and twittering, until he falls down fainting.

Sang more than usual, but involuntarily; she did not feel at all happy or cheerful.

Goes about house all day singing; moves with greater alacrity and precision than ordinary.

Before every spell of somnambulism he crowed like a cock.

Male exuality 

Lasciviousness: after eating, with feeling of weakness in parts; with erections in afternoon.

Erections with but little desire. 

Strong erections, without sexual excitement or thoughts, in evening while undressing in a cold room. 

Sexual indifference with erections, even during act of coition, which is perfectly performed. 

Increased sexual desire. θ Dropsy of spine with sheep. θ Hydrophobia  of sheep. 

Priapism, with frequent seminal emissions.

Satyriasis in a stallion; hot breath streamed from nostrils. 

Insufficient seminal discharge. 

Semen is discharged too late or not at all during coition. 

During a very strong and warm embrace excitement diminished at its height, and there followed no emission. 

No emission during coition, but afterwards semen escaped unconsciously in sleep. 

A seminal emission with dreams, quite unusual. 

Without being preceded by an erection there is a discharge of prostatic fluid, smelling salty and musty; the glans penis is dry. 

Feeling of weakness around and in sexual parts. 

After coition, with difficult and tardy emission, there is a sensation of emptiness and discomfort in parts, lasting all of next day. 

Painful urging in penis, as after excessive coition, accompanied by lasciviousness. 

Itching and burning on corona glandis, with tickling and discharge of greenish pus, in afternoon. 

Glans is dry and sticks to foreskin. 

Pain in testicles on day after an embrace, particularly felt towards noon and first afternoon hours. 

Complaints resulting from abnormal sexual desire. 

Religious issues

Declares amid violent sobs that she is suffering the torments of hell.

She has been unable to sleep a wink for several nights; is driven from bed by indescribable anxiety; can but sit and walk, or find momentary peace in prayer.

Was much frightened during attack, and began to pray; her husband had to sit up with her and hold her hand; did not get entirely over attack until 3 A. M.

Senses

Hypersensitiveness of all the senses. 

He knew exactly where his nurses, his doctors and acquaintances where, if at any distance from him.

He could hear what was spoken in next room, and counting coppers in a room below him.

He knows every one, and answers questions, also is in mesmeric rapport with his physicians.

He says he can see hands on dial plate of church clock.

On a watch held to scrobiculum he sees the hour and minute hands.

Exalted state of smell, taste and touch, with a feeling of anxiety and a fear of being alone. 

Everything affects him more powerfully ; also tobacco. 

Linen dipped in sugar water, put on pit of stomach, gives a sweet taste in mouth.

Copper, if in his room, makes him restless and full of pains.

Intelectual

Memory for words greatly increased.

He doesn't talk as well as he usually does, but he plays chess better; more inclined to reflect than speak; not at all lively.

Quite often the mental faculties are in a higher state of excitement; demonstrated by a quick perception, a surprisingly acute understanding and the speed with which they respond to questions.

Exhilarated, felt as if he had received joyful intelligence.

Incessant talking during night.

Neurological

Loses consciousness for a moment.

Does not see or hear people around him.

Weary and incapable of mental exertion; school tasks, which before had been a pleasure to her, had to be laid aside.

Dullness and stupidity; at night restlessness.

Crises of abstraction, picking up the wrong things, often not knowing what you want, saying the wrong words that barely resemble the desired words in sound.

A certain confusion, unsteadiness, weakness of mind.

Range of ideas extremely limited, if left to himself is occupied continuously with the same thing, bringing frequently forward same ideas within a short space of time and always in same manner.

During convulsions, mental illusions and hallucinations; in intervals of consciousness mental faculties are retained.

During fits, snapping motions of the jaws, of an involuntary and spasmodic character.

During night delirium <.

Loss of consciousness sometimes at an early stage, but not generally until a short time before death.

Delirium

Slight fits of delirium occur (in advanced state); patients frequently forget their friends and relatives; delirium attended with constant talking.

Some delirium and illusions; fancied doctors were two young girls who had come in to see her.

Spasmodic affections take place in muscles of face, occasioning violent contortions and most horrid assemblage of features; in muscles moving lower jaw, inducing involuntary gnashing and a grinding of teeth, which some have construed into a desire of biting ; during convulsive  attack expression of face indicates great anxiety and alarm. 

 Disturbed look with dyspnœa. 

 Expression of face quite variable; reddening countenance often exhibits reflections of utmost mental and physical misery, of most horrible agony.

Face flushed; complained of his head, said they were running needles into his brain. -​​​​​​​