Arsenicum

4.15 ArsenicumWhen we talk about Arsenicum in homoeopathic circles we actually mean Arsenicum album, which is arsenicum oxide or As2O3.
Arsenicum metallicum is not very well known, Clarke gives a brief description, but it was assumed to be quite similar to Arsenicum album. Now that we know the influence of the oxygen component we are better able to make the subtle distinctions between the two.
Arsenicum album, Natrium and Kali arsenicosum are also mentioned.SignatureThe name has been derived from the Greek word ‘arsenikos’ which means ‘male’. It was discovered in 1250. It’s use through the ages has mainly been as a poison, like rat poison or nerve gas. It isn’t really a metal but it has a few metallic properties. It readily evaporates in air.Concepts Stage 15 Iron series Passing on Loss Task Work Duty Bankrupt Craft Use
Passing away Ability Perfection
Superfluous Routine Order Rules
Surrender Control Exam
Handing over Sacrifice Observed Criticism
Forgiving Poison Failure Guilt Crime
Unforeseen Pursued Tried
Refusing Obstinate Adult
VillageAnalysisLoss of work: redundancy.
Working with bankruptcy: bailiff.
Loss through failure.
Loss through crime: thieves.
Saying farewell to property.
Surrender to control: precise, fastidious.
Bankruptcy through control.
Loss of order.Picture of Arsenicum metallicumEssence: loss of work: redundancy.Loss of work: redundancyThey have lost their job, either because the firm has gone bankrupt or because they haven’t done their work properly. With the job they also lose their position in society. They tend to be very responsible people, but they still feel it was their fault, otherwise it wouldn’t have happened.Bankruptcy: bailiffThe business has gone bankrupt and the bailiff is coming round to take stock. Everything that is of value will be taken away. The remainder of the goods is cleared away to be used in other businesses. It is a typical situation of bankruptcy: stocktaking followed by an auction.Loss through crime: thievesThey are very afraid of thieves and burglars, fear that their house or business will be robbed and that fruit of their labour will be taken away. And if their tools get taken away they won’t be able to work anymore. They are afraid of having to let go of their possessions. They are old and decrepit and other people are just waiting for them to die so they can take over the whole lot.Fear of losing their possessions: greed.The fear of not having enough may lead to greed. They become very thrifty, avaricious even. They get jealous of other people who have more than they have, they can even take pleasure in the misfortune of other people.Surrender to control: precise, fastidiousThey try to hold back the process of decay by keeping an eye on everything all the time. Everything has to be in its proper place so they’ll know immediately if something has gone missing, every penny has to be counted in case one of their colleagues is trying to swindle them.Loss of order: decayThey are very afraid of any disturbance of the old order, it is a fear that everything will decay and fall apart. Deep inside they know that the falling apart is inevitable, that nothing can be done to stop it and that however much they check something, it will never be enough, even if they check the locks a hundred times.Loss through failure: restlessThings start to go wrong and they feel hurt and suppressed. They also become very restless. They know they are about to lose everything and they restlessly start to look for a another place. They are very afraid of being left behind on their own, unloved and unwanted now that they have got no possessions left.ExpressionsFear: disease, health, cancer, heart disease, death, alone (3), others, thieves (3!), burglars, poison, murder, expectations, failure, criticism, opposition, observed, anticipation, constriction; easily frightened.
Dreams: futile efforts, paralysis, thieves, burglars.
Delusions: death, falling, thieves, mistakes, crime, horse.
Irritability: < mistakes, < contradiction, < insult.
Mental: critical.
Mood: complaining, gloomy, crying.
Causes: loss of work, loss of money, burglary.
Desire to die in their sleep.GeneralsType: brown hair, thin.
Locality: right.
Weather: cold (3), > heat (3).
Time: < 1 am (3), periodical, every 2 or 3 weeks.
Desires: sour, vinegar, fruit, lemon, refreshing, mustard, spices, milk, coffee, warm food, fat; drink in small sips.
Aversion: fat, meat.
Food: < melon, sour, fruit, strawberries, ice-cream, alcohol, spoilt food.
Sleep: restless, sleeplessness; on the back with hands folded under head.ComplaintsWeakness, emaciation.
Pains are burning, > heat (3).
Cancer of air passages, bladder, skin, bowels. Leukemia. Sepsis.
paralysis.
Headache left sided, radiating to eye and ear, < stooping, < lying down, < laughing, < thinking. Vertigo.
Pain in eyes < light.
Colds; hayfever, watery, acrid coryza; sneezing.
Asthma.
Anaemia (3). High blood pressure.
Stomach problems. Nausea with vomiting, small quantities. Diabetes. Cirrhosis of liver.
Diarrhoea in small quantities, frequent, stinking, cramps; cholera.
Syphilis. Neuropathy.
Eczema, red, scaling, dry, psoriasis; thickness of skin on palms and soles; hair loss, nails deformed.
Skin cancer. Keratosis of soles of feet.
DD: Iron series, Stage 15, Thuja.
DD Germanium: are still doing their job, they haven’t been told to leave yet, although they have been relegated to a back room where they have no real influence on the general running of the business. Arsenicum has really lost his job.