Flesh which has died from oxygen starvation; causes include embolism, poor circulation (see Diabetes, Atherosclerosis), Frost Bite, or a major wound which has been poorly disinfected. Dying tissue causes pain, then becomes numb and turns black, with clear line between dead and living tissue. Dry gangrene is dead tissue which has not been infected; wet gangrene develops when dead tissue becomes infected by bacteria which thrive in absence of oxygen; some strains of bacteria are very virulent and produce a type of wet gangrene known as gas gangrene, so called because of the putrid-smelling gas they give off. Wet gangrene can cause Blood Poisoning if not promptly treated, and gas gangrene can swiftly lead to Shock and death.
Orthodox treatment consists of drugs to improve circulation or surgery to bypass blocked arteries, but if tissue is already dead, affected area will have to be removed surgically; if underlying muscle and bone are also dead, amputation will be necessary; any remaining bacteria are destroyed by antibiotics, antiserum, or hyperbaric oxygen treatment.
If gangrene is suspected, consult your doctor if there is no improvement in 12 hours and choose a remedy from the list below.
Specific remedies to be taken every hour for up to 10 doses
- Affected area bluish-purple and on left side of body, pain worse after sleep Lachesis 30c
- Burning sensation in affected area, lessened by cold applications, increased by covering or applying heat Secale 30c
- Ulceration of surrounding skin, cold makes pain worse, person feels chilly and restless Arsenicum 30c
- Affected area cold, bluish, and bruised-looking, symptoms begin in toes, especially if person is elderly Carbo veg. 30c
- Wound which turns septic, or wet gangrene, with foul smell Echinacea 30c
- Long-standing ulcer which develops wet gangrene, especially if person is elderly Euphorbium 30c
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