Three “Horrid” Cases: A Journey into Homeopathy and Healing
By Miranda Castro

Our earliest cured cases are often treasured jewels of simple pathology and prescribing. They remind us of the power of homeopathy and the principles we hold dear. But it is the life-threatening cases that truly test our mettle. These are the moments when we must decide: do we back down, or do we follow our instincts and forge ahead?
In my first year of practice, I encountered one such case—a challenging, heart-stopping situation that pushed me to my limits. It was a case of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a condition I had never treated before. The remedy that came to the rescue was Crotalus horridus, a snake remedy known for its profound and often dramatic effects. This is the story of how I navigated that case, and how homeopathy triumphed in the face of grave illness.
The Case of Alan: A Child in Crisis
It was a weekend night—as these situations often seem to be—when I received a frantic call from the mother of a four-year-old boy I’ll call Alan (not his real name). I was locuming for an experienced homeopath at the time, and Alan was not my patient. His mother called me from a hospital payphone, her voice trembling with panic.
Alan had been diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, a condition characterized by a dangerously low platelet count. His platelets were virtually nonexistent, and he was hemorrhaging all over his body—on his skin, his fingertips, and inside his mouth, where bleeding ulcers had formed. He bruised at the slightest touch and looked pale, though his mother said he was emotionally stable.
The hospital planned to administer high doses of steroids and conduct bone marrow investigations. But before his mother could tell me more, her money ran out, and the call ended abruptly.
The Dilemma: To Treat or Not to Treat?
I was faced with a dilemma. Should I treat this child? How? I didn’t know Alan, I didn’t have a full case history, and I couldn’t reach his mother again. My rational mind screamed at me to stay away—I was an inexperienced homeopath, barely out of training. This was a life-threatening condition, and I felt utterly out of my depth.
But another voice whispered in my ear: What if homeopathy could help him? What if you have nothing to lose? My instincts told me to try, so I pushed aside my doubts and turned to my books.
The Detective Work Begins
I started by researching ITP in the Merck Manual, as it wasn’t a condition I had encountered in my medical training. I learned that ITP is a sudden-onset condition involving widespread hemorrhaging due to the destruction of platelets, with no known cause.
Next, I turned to Phatak’s Repertory, cross-referencing the rubrics “ecchymosis,” “sepsis,” and “passive hemorrhage.” The remedies that stood out were Crotalus horridus, Kreosotum, and Secale. Of these, Crotalus horridus—a snake remedy—leapt off the page at me.
I knew very little about Crotalus horridus, but as I read about it in my materia medica, I felt a growing certainty that this was the right remedy. J.T. Kent’s words resonated deeply:
“It is true that the diseases that call for the use of such substances as Crotalus are very grave…the subject is horrible to look upon…The remedy stands out by itself. There can be no substitute…the other snake poisons form the nearest resemblance, but this one is the most dreadful of all.”
Taking the Leap
With trembling hands, I prepared Crotalus horridus 30 and sent it to the hospital with a relative who was visiting Alan. I included clear instructions for its use.
The next day, I received word that Alan’s symptoms had improved dramatically. His platelets, which had been at a critically low 4,000 per cubic millimeter (normal range: 150,000–500,000), rose to 100,000 within a few days. The hemorrhaging stopped, and Alan began to recover.
A week later, he developed chickenpox, but even this passed quickly and without complication. There was no recurrence of ITP in the following year, and Alan made a full recovery—all without the need for steroids or invasive procedures.
Reflections on a “Horrid” Case
This case remains one of my most treasured jewels, not only because of the dramatic recovery but also because of the lessons it taught me. It reinforced the importance of trusting my instincts, even in the face of overwhelming doubt. It reminded me that homeopathy, when applied with care and precision, can work wonders even in the most dire circumstances.
Crotalus horridus is a remedy for grave, life-threatening conditions. It is not one I use often, but when the symptoms align, it is unparalleled in its power. This case was a testament to the profound healing potential of homeopathy and the resilience of the human spirit.
To my fellow homeopaths, I say this: Trust your training, trust your instincts, and never underestimate the power of a well-chosen remedy. Even in the darkest moments, there is hope.
Miranda Castro is a homeopath based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is the author of several books on homeopathy and is passionate about sharing her experiences to inspire and guide others in the field.