Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

108 •MAJOR ANIMAL REMEDIESLac caninumLAC CAN.KEY SYMPTOMS pain that alternates from side to side • fear of snakes• great sensitivity • lack of confidence • swollen breasts beforemenstruation • sensitivity to touchSince the era of ancient Rome, the milk of nursing female dogs has beenput to medicinal use. In the 1st century CE the Roman naturalist Pliny theElder advocated it for allaying certain disorders of the female reproductivesystem. The Greek physician Sextus used it in the 3rd century CE fortreating light-intolerance and inflammation of the inner ear. The homeopathicremedy Lac. can. was proved in 1888 by Drs. Swan and Berridge.REMEDY PROFILEThose who benefit most from Lac can. tendto lack self-confidence or feel self-contempt.Often restless and nervous, they may behighly sensitive to sensory stimulation. Anactive imagination and excitable naturecombine to engender irrational fears that maydevelop into phobias. They may be prone tobouts of depression.A typical symptom in those who respond toLac can. is a feeling of “otherworldliness,” as ifthe self is floating just above or behind thebody, or a sensation that is often described as“floating on air.”Lac can. is used for irrational phobias andfor acute sensory hypersensitivity. The remedy isalso considered particularly effective for thethroat, the nervous system, and the femalereproductive system. In all conditions,symptoms tend to move from site to sitearound the afflicted area of the body.Throat infectionsSYMPTOMS Excessive dryness in the throat.Burning pain makes swallowing difficult.The pain alternates from side to side, andmay extend to the ears. The saliva is of aviscous consistency, and the back of thethroat may be lined with a silvery film.Symptoms may coincide with menstruationif they are caused by tonsillitis.Symptoms better For being in fresh air;for cold drinks.Symptoms worse For touch.PhobiasSYMPTOMS Irrational fears, usually of snakes,storms, dogs, or disease. The fear of snakesis particularly strong, and may beassociated with a sensation as though snakesare crawling all over and around the body.There may be hypochondria and a constantdesire to wash the hands. Anxiety andfear may trigger hysteria, with possibleaggressive behavior.Symptoms better For being in fresh air.Symptoms worse For touch.Breast problemsSYMPTOMS Swollen, sore breasts prior tomenstruation. Pain switches from side toside. In breast-feeding mothers, breast milkmay be lacking or suppressed, or milkproduction may be excessive. The breastsare painful and feel as though they are fullof hard lumps. There may be a desire tohold the breasts firmly.Symptoms better For warmth; for being infresh air; for rest.Symptoms worse For touch; for the slightestmovement; for going up and down stairs.Vaginal bleeding & dischargeSYMPTOMS Bleeding between menstrualperiods or following sexual intercourse.A vaginal discharge may accompanybleeding, particularly before menstruation.The genitalia are very sensitive to touch orpressure, including that of bathing or thefriction of clothes. Sexual intercourse maybe painful, and during orgasm hysteria maydevelop. The libido may be sharplyincreased or reduced.Symptoms better For warmth; for being infresh air; for rest.Symptoms worse For touch; formovement.BITCH’S MILK Before the discovery of a vaccinefor diphtheria, bitch’s milk was commonlyused to treat the disease.SOURCE DETAILSORIGINThe milk from any nursing bitch may beused, although in practice mongrels areused most often.BACKGROUNDAncient Romans used remedies derivedfrom bitch’s milk for ovarian pains, and foruterine and cervical problems.PREPARATIONFresh milk from a nursing mongrel bitch isexpressed and diluted in a mix of alcoholand water for the tincture.COMMON NAMEBitch’s milk.HypersensitivitySYMPTOMS Mental hypersensitivity due to anoveractive imagination. A hysterical statemay develop; this may involve seeing facesand hearing noises that do not exist. Partsof the body, such as the genitalia, are alsophysically hypersensitive. Touch is feltacutely, and there may be an urge to keepthe legs or fingers apart to avoid skin-toskincontact. Absent-mindedness andhypochondria may accompany this state.Symptoms better For warmth; for being in freshair; for rest.Symptoms worse For touch; for movement;for cold air.See also Phobias, page 211; Sore throat, page 226; Breast pain, page 258