Educational aspiration

I have travelled across India for about 17 months in total, over the past seven years—most of it solo. In all that time, I have rarely felt unsafe. Although I do not hesitate to pursue my travel dreams in India, I am always careful about my planning—to make sure I don't arrive on a train platform alone in the middle of the night for example. And I am cautious about my dress and deportment. Here are my top safety recommendations and travel tips for women who travel in India.
Do your research
Going to India is just not the same as going to the Caribbean, Greece or even Thailand. It is massive, diverse, traditional, ancient ... and it can be an overwhelming travel destination. Knowing as much as you can about the culture can help prepare you. For example, many tourists go to Rajasthan, but that doesn't mean the desert state is westernized. Far from it—Rajasthan is one of the more traditional states in India. Wearing a tank top and shorts is just not appropriate in Rajasthan and can invite unwanted attention. On the other hand, in certain parts of Mumbai, like Colaba and Bandra, wearing revealing western clothing is much more acceptable.
Adjust your expectations
If you are from a western country like Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Germany or Australia, you cannot come to India and expect that you will freely be able to do all the things you do at home. You have to accept reality: India is a traditional society in the throes of great change. It is very wise to play it safe, as I do, and wear loose, modest clothes; refrain from overly friendly behaviour with unknown men; and be very cautious about moving around at night.
Be confident, not polite
I've had many online discussions with women who travel regularly in India about staying safe. Most of them stress that how you carry yourself plays a large part in your experience. If you are confident, you are less likely to attract unwanted attention they say, and I agree. Apparently, rapists look for women they perceive to be easy targets; women who don't look like they will put up a fight. As a Canadian, I come from a culture of politeness, but sometimes in India—often, in fact—polite doesn't work. If I feel someone is harassing me for whatever reason, I have become very adept at either becoming very cold and ignoring them, or becoming quickly angry and saying "jaao," loudly, which means "go" in Hindi.
Watch how you relate to men
In India, you have to be careful about how you relate to some men—specifically, less educated men working in service, transportation or hospitality. In other words, if you are overly friendly with an autorickshaw driver, you could inadvertently be giving him the wrong signals. It's unfortunate that foreign women are sometimes seen as more "available" than Indian women, too—which doesn't help.
Again, realize that much of India is still a traditional society, and in certain parts of society the genders do not mix. Many of the men in India are just not that sophisticated when it comes to flirting and dating, etc. Obviously, there are lots of educated and well-travelled men in the modern metros, like Delhi and Mumbai, who understand the signals we take for granted in the west. But lots don't and will take your friendliness as an open invitation for sex. Err on the side of caution.
Use transportation strategies
I have travelled all over India, on overnight trains, in countless autorickshaws and taxis, and sometimes even on the backs of motorcycles. I have never felt unsafe, but I am cautious and I have come up with a couple of strategies, especially for travel at night. For example, when leaving a bar or restaurant, get someone to walk you to an auto or taxi. Or call someone, and loudly tell them the number of the taxi, so the driver can hear. Plan your travel so you don't arrive in the middle of the night; and try to have someone meet you at the train station or airport. Many hotels and tours offer this service. Always let someone know where you're going, and stay connected to friends and contacts via social media.
Carry a mobile phone
Carrying a phone is essential for both safety and convenience, I believe, as India is a mobile phone obsessed nation. Everything is done via text meesage, including train tickets and manicure appointments. You can buy a cheap phone, or get a SIM card for your regular phone, when you get to India. Prepaid rates are very cheap. Just make sure you have a copy of your passport and Indian Visa, and a passport sized photo with you when you go to the store to get the phone or SIM card.
Wear Indian clothes
Indian clothes are light, comfortable, inexpensive and appropriate to the climate and the need for modesty. I usually wear the three-piece salwar kameez, or Punjabi suit; or a kurtah and trousers when in India. But wearing Indian clothes is a bit controversial among my Indiaphile friends. Some say it just draws more unwanted attention; others say it draws respect and protects you. I am in the second camp. I am a big believer in the "when in Rome" philosophy of travel.
Not only do I wear Indian clothes, but I also wear Indian jewellery, and tell people I am married to an Indian man and that I live in Delhi. The family is the strongest social structure in India. As the wife of an Indian man, I am perceived as Indian, as part of the society—an insider—and even more importantly, as someone whose movements are probably closely tracked, and who will be missed. I feel my gold Indian ring draws a veil of protection around me ... it works for me.

Treatment 
 In former times it was a question whether the disease or its treatment caused the greater inconvenience or suffering to the patient.
 The treatment of a given case of syphilis will, of course, depend on the stage of the disease and the condition of the patient; but if the case comes at the beginning--that is during the period of the chancre--the early or subsequent treatment may be pretty clearly mapped out in advance.
 When a patient presents a venereal sore, the question of diagnosis must be settled at the outset, and settled in the most definite manner prior to the institution of a direct anti-syphilitic treatment.
 If the diagnosis cannot be made with absolute certainty, defer the specific treatment until the secondary eruption appears.
 Granting however, that the diagnosis of syphilitic chancre has been made, let us first consider what shall no be done.
 Some have fancied that they could produce an abortion of the syphilis by early destruction of the initial lesions; and, to this end, the chancre was excised or cauterized.
 Experience shows that this hope cannot be realized.
 Neither excision nor cauterization, no matter how early they are practiced, will prevent the further development of the disease, while they do add very materially to the discomfort of the patient.
 What, then, shall be done?
 There is but one drug, so far as known, that is positively and directly curative in this disease--namely, mercury; and the sooner the patient is brought under its influence the better.
 The two schools employ it in different ways.
 We will first look at the method employed by the old school, and afterwards the method as employed by the new school.
 An eminent writer of the old school, in speaking of the treatment of syphilis, uses the following language :
 "My own practice is to use this agent (mercury) both internally and externally, believing as I do that the drug acts by virtue of its particles being brought into direct contact with the lesions, externally by means of lotions, salves, or other applications, internally through the medium of the blood and circulation.
 To the chancre, then, we may make a mercurial application, and the old black wash answers admirably, except that it should contain about four times as much calomel as the official preparation allows.
 This should be applied two or three times daily.
 At the same time mercury should be given internally.
 Before commencing treatment, however, it is my custom to have a distinct understanding with the patient on two points--namely, the use of tobacco and alcohol.
 If the patient is in a fair state of general health, and will consent to the absolute abandonment of these two substances, it will not be going too far to promise him a very easy time in connection with his disease, provided, of course, that he pursues the direct medical treatment with persistence and regularity.
 "The choice of the mercurial preparation to be given is not a matter of indifference.
 During the early period of the disease--say, for the first six months or a year--metallic mercury or the protosalts are to be preferred to persalts.
 Later the persalts seem to be more useful.
 Metallic mercury, either in the form of blue-pill or in trituration, may be given, so that the patient receives a half-grain of the metal three or four times a  day.
 The dose, however, should be pushed until the patient is on the verge of salivation, but never in the slightest degree beyond this.
 When this point is reached, we have a guide to the patient's tolerance of the drug, and omission of treatment for a day or two is recommended.
 It should then be resumed in somewhat smaller doses, and, with the gums and salivary glands for a guide and warning, the drug should be administered with scrupulous regularity for weeks and months.
 In former times salivation was considered the sheet-anchor of safety.
 Now, we know that it is a danger to be avoided.
 Under this treatment many a patient will go on for a year or more with only the slightest inconveniences from his disease.
 Instead of metallic mercury, the protroiodide may be employed; and this, indeed, is the favorite with most venereal surgeons.
 After this period, if all has gone well, I prefer to give either the bichloride or the biniodide.
 Some cases, however, will not go well, and, instead of superficial and not very serious eruptions, we find a tendency to ulceration developing quite early.
 This opens the gate for another drug--namely, the iodide of potassium.
 There are physicians who appear to be afraid of mercury, and who, believing the iodide to be comparatively a benign and innocent drug, give it in even the earliest stages of the disease.
 Personally I regard the early administration of this drug as harmful.
 The iodide of potassium, in the writer's judgment,does not exert the slightest curative influence on the disease itself, or tend in the slightest degree to eradicate it from the system.
 It does, however, possess a wonderful power over certain manifestations of the disease.
 In syphilitic ulcerations, in gummatous lesions, and in periostitis, the effects of the iodide are not only positive but marvellous.
 Per contra, in early superficial lesions and in late necrotic affections of the bones, it is not only useless but harmful.
 In syphilis we have two types of ulceration.
 In one the process is sluggish, and in the other active and rapid in its destructive effects.
 In both of these of iodide should be employed.
 In the former it should be given in small doses--say, five to ten grains three times a day--and combined with small doses of either the bichloride or biniodide; while in the rapidly destructive forms of ulceration the mercury should be omitted, and the iodide given in full and increasing doses.
 "As soon, however, as the particular lesions for which the iodide is given are brought under subjection, the drug should be given in diminished doses and soon discontinued, and mercury in small doses substituted for it.
 "In the sluggish ulcerations of cutaneous syphilis there is no question as to the benefit to be derived from local mercurial applications, and a favorite with the writer is fifteen grains of the protoiodide to an ounce of simple ointment.
 "Instead of administering mercury by the mouth, it may be used in the form of blue ointment rubbed into the groin or axilla.
 Or it may be given in hypodermic injection, employing either a soluble or an insoluble preparation.
 There are, doubtless, occasional cases in which these methods may be preferred; but as habitual or routine methods of treatment they are mentioned only to be condemned.
 "There remains one drug, however, that is useful in certain syphilitic conditions, but of which very little mention is made in modern text-books.
 I allude to gold.
 In necrosis of the bones, especially the nasal and palatine, gold unquestionably hastens the separation of the sequestrum by promptly determining the line of demarkation between the healthy and the diseased tissues.
 A grain of the chloride of gold and sodium may be dissolved in an ounce of water, and five to ten drops be given once or twice a day.
 No advance, we believe, will be derived from increasing this dose.
 It should be continued for a short time after the separation and removal of the bone, as it seems to decidedly promote the healing process."
 In contrast with this heroic treatment comes the recommendation of Hahnemann to use Mercurius vivus in the 30x potency, one dose of which will usually be sufficient to establish a cure.
 Later, we will give the indications for the homoeopathic remedies indicated in the different forms of syphilis.
 Just here I wish to call attention to the mechanical treatment of the syphilitic affection of the tongue and mouth known as keratosis or ichthyosis linguae, or as leukoplakia specifica, which is due to unequal development of epithelium over different papillae, and which is by no means a very easy affection to treat successfully, caustic, astringent, and disinfecting applications having but little effect upon it; according to Dr. Horwitz, it is best managed by mechanical scraping.
 He uses a sharp spoon, with which he removes the thickened epithelium; in order to accomplish this, several sittings may be required.
 He scrapes away the indurated tissue until the surface presents the appearance of a multitude of minute-bleeding points, showing that the vascular loops in the papillae of the dermis have been reached.
 Iodoglycerine, glycerine of borax or a ten per cent. solution of sulphate of copper is applied to the raw surface.
 The pain is usually not severe, but in the case of sensitive persons cocaine can be used.
 Indications for the homoeopathic remedies useful in syphilitic affections :
 Arsenicum 
 Inflammation and swelling of genitals; phagedenic and gangrenous chancres; copper-colored eruptions on genitals; burning pimples or pustular eruptions on skin.
 asa foetide 
 Tertiary syphilis, especially after abuse of mercury; ulcers, particularly when affecting the bones, discharging ichorous, fetid, thin pus; syphilitic caries and necrosis, with fetid and bloody suppuration; ulcers very sensitive to touch; extreme nocturnal pains.
 Aurum 
 Secondary syphilis; low-spirited; bones of skull painful when lying on them; exostosis on head; caries of mastoid process of temporal bone, with fetid otorrhoea; caries of nose, with offensive discharge of pus from nose; inflammation of bones of face; putrid smell from mouth, with caries of palate; ulcers which attack the bones; headache from tophi in different parts of cranial bones.
 Auri et sodii chloridum
 Syphilis, after abuse of mercury, or when during secondary or tertiary stages, the bones of the nose are affected, or the throat is ulcerated.
 Badiaga 
 Syphilitic bubo, as hard as a stone, uneven ragged, at night violent lancinations, as if with red hot needles, even when decided fluctuation has already set in.
 Belladonna 
 Large and painful buboes, with intense inflammation of integuments, presenting a deep-red hue, and extending over large surfaces; phlegmonous phimosis and paraphimosis; erysipelatous balanitis; painful eruptions.
 Berberis aquifolium 
 Inveterate cases of tertiary syphilis.
 Calcarea fluor.
 Chancres hard and indurated.
 Calcarea sulph.
 In bubo to control suppuration.
 Chronic suppurating stage of syphilis.
 Carbo an.
 Indurated buboes, with lancinating or cutting pains; chancre; nasal syphilis.
 Carbo veg. 
 Syphilitic ulcers with high edges that become irritable from topical treatment; margins of sores sharp, ragged, undermined; discharge thin, acrid, offensive, ulcer painful and liable to bleed freely when touched; vesicles or blisters on prepuce; burning of labia; burning eruptions on skin.
 Cinnabaris 
 Swelling of penis; redness and swelling of prepuce, with painful itching, violent itching of corona glandis, with profuse secretion of pus; small shining red points on the glands; blennorrhoea of glands; sycotic excrescences; violent erections in the evening; small ulcer on roof of mouth, on the right side of tip of tongue, and on tip.
 Coral rubr.
 Chancre and gonorrhoea of glands.
 Corydalis 
 Syphilitic nodes on skull; ulceration of fauces; profuse morbid secretion of mucus; tongue coated, with fetid breath.
 Ferrum phos.
 Bubo with heat, throbbing or tenderness.
 Hecla lava 
 Destructive ulceration of the nasal bones.
 Hepar 
 Mercurius-syphilitic diseases of gums; pains in bones; chancres not painful, but disposed to bleed readily; margins of ulcers elevated and spongy looking, without granulations in their centre; buboes after mercurial treatment; phimosis, with discharge of pus, accompanied by throbbing; itching of penis, glands, and fraenum; ulcers like chancres on prepuce; humid soreness on genitals, scrotum, and folds between thigh and scrotum; humid, suppurating herpes praeputialis.
 Hydrastis
 Ozaena, with ulceration, bloody or mixed purulent discharge; mercurial salivation.
 Kali bich. 
 Syphilitic affections of mouth and fauces; bone pains, with stitches as if from sharp needles; periodical wandering pains all over the body; pustular syphiloderma; indurated chancre.
 Kali hydroiodicum
 Secondary and tertiary syphilis; abuse of mercury.
 Kali mur. 
 Soft chancre, 3x tr. internally, and also externally as a lotion; chronic stage of syphilis.
 In bubo for the soft swelling.
 Kali phos. 
 Phagedenic chancre and bubo.
 Kali sulph.
 Syphilis, with yellow, slimy coating; tongue coated yellow; aggravation in the evening.
 Chronic syphilis.
 Lachesis 
 Phagedenic chancre; gangrene of glands and mons veneris; ulcers in throat and inflamed tonsils; caries of tibia; flat ulcers on lower extremities, with blue and purple areola.
 Lycopodium
 Chancres with raised edges; indolent chancres, with thick, rounded, prominent margins, granulations flabby or absent; eruptions on glands; condylomata; syphilitic ulcers in mouth.
 Mercurius corros.
 Excessive pain, swelling, and inflammation; regular indurated Hunterian chancre with lardaceous bottom; swelling and redness of nose, ozaena; margins of soft chancre dark-red, painful, and easily bleeding; neighboring parts oedematous, hot, and painful; chancres on inner surface of praeputium or corona glands; chancres with ichor adhering to the bottom of ulcer so firmly that it cannot be removed by washing; ulcers with thin pus, leaving stains upon the linen, as from melted tallow; phagedenic ulcers in mouth, gums, and throat, with fetid breath; tonsils swollen and covered with ulcers; bubo and swelling of glands generally.
 Mercur. iodat. rubr. 
 Hunterian hard chancre; threatened gangrene of glands in paraphimosis; soreness of bones of face; sharp shooting stitches in the end of penis through the glands; old buboes, discharging for years.
 Mercur. vivus
 Red chancre on prepuce; spreading and deeply penetrating ulcer on glands and prepuce; pale-red vesicles, forming small ulcers after breaking, on glands and prepuce; painful bleeding chancres, with yellowish, fetid discharge; small chancres, with a cheesy bottom and inverted red edges; ulcers of glands and prepuce, with cheesy, lardaceous bottom and hard edges.
 Mezereum 
 Syphilitic periostitis; constant headache from tophi of skull; pains through whole body, with nightly pains in the bones, brought on by syphilis, mercury, or both combined; bones inflamed, swollen, especially shafts of cylindrical bones; fainting sort of vertigo; weary of life.
 Natrum mur.
 Chronic syphilis, serous exudations, etc.
 Natrum sulph. 
 Condylomata of anus, syphilitic in origin, externally and internally.
 Nux vom.
 Chancroid; shallow and flat-bottomed uleration, showing a disposition to spread irregularly and indefinitely, exuding a thin, serous discharge.
 Nitric acid. 
 Phagedenic chancres; ulcers in urethra, with purulent or bloody mucous discharge; ulcers bleed when touched, with exuberant, but pale and flabby granulations, irregular edges; most condylomata, like cauliflower, or on thin pedicles; ulcers in vagina, looking as if covered with yellow pus, with burning pain or itching; copper-colored spots on anus; syphilitic ulcers in mouth; syphilitic epilepsy and melancholia.
 Phosphoric acid. 
 Chancres with raised edges; chancres like an indolent ulcer, edges thick, rounded, and prominent; granulations pale and flabby, or absent; corroding, itching herpes praeputialis; blisters and condylomata on glands; sycotic excrescences, chronic, with heat, burning and soreness, when sitting or walking; fig-warts, complicated with chancre; painless swelling of glands; interstitial ostitis of mercurio-syphilitic origin, with nocturnal pains, as if bones were scraped with a knife.
 Phytolacca 
 Secondary syphilis; ulcers in throat and genitals; syphilitic rheumatism and syphilitic eruptions; pains shift; joints swollen, red; periostitis; pains in middle of long bones, or attachment of muscles, worse at night, and in damp weather; glans inflamed, swollen; ulcers with appearance as if punched out, lardaceous bottom; weakness and prostration, but no paralytic symptoms.
 Sepia 
 Indolent chancre; burning itching, humid, or scurfy herpes praeputialis; chappy herpes, with a circular desquamation of skin; eruptions on glans and labia; itching and dry eruptions on genitals; chancres on glans and prepuce.
 Silicea 
 Chancres with raised edges; inflamed, painful, irritable chancres, with discolored, thin, and bloody discharge, granulations indistinct or absent; painful eruptions on mons veneris; itching, moist or dry eruption of red pimples or spots on genitals; chronic syphilis with suppurations or indurations; ulcerated cutaneous affections where mercury has been given to excess, nodes in tertiary syphilis; caries and necrosis with discharge of offensive pus.
 Staphisagria 
 Soft, humid excrescences on and behind corona glandis; dry, pediculated fig-warts; excrescences and nodosities of gums; female sexual organs painfully sensitive, especially when sitting; mercurialism.
 Stillingia 
 Secondary syphilis; extreme torture from bone-pains; nodes on head and legs.
 Sulphur 
 Inflammation and swelling of sexual organs, with deep rhagades; burning and redness of prepuce; deep suppurating ulcer on glans and prepuce, with puffed edges; phimosis, with discharge of fetid pus; glandular swellings, indurated or suppurating.
 Thuja 
 Chancres, with pain as from a splinter sticking; sycotic moist excrescences on prepuce and glans; moist mucous tubercles; itching ulcers with unclean bottoms, or whitish chancres with hard edges. 

Alcohol abuse cannot be healed by homeopathy alone, special psychological care is also essential.
 However, the practitioner can help these difficult patients find a physical and mental balance. The drainage techniques, especially organotherapy and satellite remedies, are always necessary to support the injured organs (brain, liver, nerves, pancreas, and stomach).
 General remedies
 • one dose, every week, in the following order :
 -  young subject :
 1st NUX VOMICA 9C
 2nd SULFUR FLAVUM 9C
 3rd NUX VOMICA 15 CH
 4th LACHESIS 9C
 -  old subject :
 1st NUX VOMICA 9C
 2nd LACHESIS 9C
 3rd ARGENTUM NITRICUM 9C
 4th ARSENICUM ALBUM 9C
 Complications
 -  stomach :
 • 3 granules, daily :
 morning : ASARUM 5C
 evening : SULFURIC ACID 5C
 -  extreme loss of weight, cachexia :
 • 3 granules, daily : CARBOLIC ACID 5C
 -  polyneuritis :
 • alternate every other evening, 3 granules :
 ARSENICUM ALBUM 5C, or PLUMBUM METAL 5C
 -  delirium :
 • 20 drops, every 10 minutes : HYOSCYAMUS 3X
 -  coma :
 • 3 granules, 1 to 6 times a day, as needed : OPIUM 4C