Introduction
Concrete volatile oil of Laurus Camphora, L. Nat. Ord., Lauraceae.
Provings
1. HAHNEMANN, Mat. Medorrhinum Pura, vol. iv of original vol. i of translation. Contains 105 symptoms from self, 147 from 4 fellow- provers, and 93 from 21 authors.
2. A gentleman swallowed for experiment 3ss dissolved in oil In 1/2 h. head became confused so that he could not read; he staggered as he walked, and dark cloud seemed to come over his eyes; but upon going into open air symptoms began to abate, and in a few h. passed away. (WHYTT, Works, p. 646.)
3. Another, from same quantity, had similar head symptoms, but also after 2 h. nausea, with giddiness and dimness of vision, going on to active vomiting of bile coloured with blood; after which pulse became frequent, small, and feeble, with general debility which continued some time, especially in legs. (GRIFFIN, Diss, de camps, viribus, Edinb., 1765.)
4. Another took 3ij. Had first burning at stomach with slackening of pulse; in 3 h. staggering and sopor, vertigo increasing at intervals, intoxication, disturbed mind, slight shuddering and pallor of face, finally sleep. (Ibid.)
5. ALEXANDER, having taken 3ij without effect save slight reduction of pulse, took 3ij (in syrup). In about 15 m. he began to feel unusual lassitude and depression of spirits, accompanied by frequent yawnings and stretchings, which increased for 3/4 h., by which time they had grown extremely troublesome; pulse had now fallen from 77 to 67. Soon after this such giddiness came on that he could with difficulty cross room; on opening window and looking out, every object seemed in tumult and confusion. Feeling himself involved therein, and as if he would fall out, he staggered to bed, and tried to read, but could not take in meaning of book. Tumultuous motions now extended to letters, obliging him to desist; and another attempt at walking was still less successful. He swallowed a little both, returned to bed and increased confusion soon became insensibility. A pupil coming in at this time states that A – desired him to shut window, then threw himself backward on bed, then started up, sat on its side, and made ineffectual efforts to vomit; finally flung himself back again with dreadful shrieks, fell into strong convulsions, foamed at mouth, stared wildly, and endeavoured to lay hold of and tear everything within reach. Then followed calm, like fainting only that colour was florid. A brother being sent for spoke to him, and he woke as from a profound sleep, but without knowledge as to where he was. Pulse was 100. Feeling very warm and tremulous, he rose, threw himself on floor, and had face and hands bathed in cold water. Then drinking freely of warm water, he vomited, bringing up greater part of C. taken. Knowledge of things and persons now gradually returned, but as if he became acquainted with them for the first time. A pretty severe headache came on, and giddiness, singing in ears, heat and tremor continued, though in less degree. Thermometer on stomach rose 2 above blood heat. Slept soundly all night; next d. had a very costive stool, and felt great soreness and rigidity all over body, which went off in a few day more. (Experimental Essays, 1768.)
6. ENDERS, Dec. 24th, 1821, at 9 a.m., took 4 dr. of alcoholic solution (1 gr. in 8 drops). Towards noon this caused dull headache spreading from forehead towards temples, lasting over 1 h., feeling of being out of spirits, and in following n. heavy sleep. On following d. took 8 dr. Headache was renewed, and head felt quite muddled. Headache increased gradually, reaching its greatest intensity in e., accompanied at times by fleeting stitches in both temporal regions and in orbits; relieved p.m., by walking in open air. Felt disinclined for all exertion during whole d. Skin acted more freely, and constant thirst urged him to drink frequently. After 12 dr. felt within a few m. reeling as if tipsy. After 3 h. felt same headache as before, but to a less extent. Action of skin was increased, and dryness of mouth lasting all d. obliged him to drink freely. During e. pulse was slightly excited. Dec. 27th., 8:30 a.m., took 16 dr. After 1/4 h. was seized with giddiness so that he was obliged to sit for several m. in order to escape falling. After 2 h. felt same headache beginning in frontal region, spreading later as far as occiput, lasting 3h. Perspired freely during d., dryness in mouth being considerable. After 20 dr. same symptoms recurred, except that this time it was rather confusion than pain in head, and lasting several h. Dose of 28 dr. caused same symptoms. (JORG, Materialien).
7. MEURER, Dec. 24th, 1821, 8:30 a.m., took 4 dr. After 1/2 h. felt somewhat lively, excitement not followed by perceptible depression. After 8 dr., in addition to above symptom, felt pressing, though not actually painful sensation in forehead, changing after 1 h. to confusion of head, lasting till noon, and accompanied (1 h. after dose) by frequent deep yawning; 12 dr. caused feeling of warmth, first in organs of deglutition, then in stomach, and later in whole body, and after a few m. slight frontal headache becoming gradually more acute and accompanied by stabbing, proceeding apparently from the temporal bone and recurring every 5 m. Pulse was for over 1 h. in an excited state, bearing 10 to 15 beats per m. more than usual; headache with dry mouth and constant thirst tasted 6 h., when stabbing disappeared, and in place of actual pain confusion of head came on lasting some h. After 9 h. prover fell asleep and slept heavily for 3 h. dose of 16 dr. caused same symptoms, though not more severely, and without stabbing pain; 28 dr. caused feeling of warmth to greater degree, and after 5 m. stabbing in stomach lasting 1 m. Head soon became confused and pulse quickened, and after 3 h. somnolence and muddled condition of head came on, last moderating towards late evening (Ibid.)
8. HEISTERBERGK, Aug. 29th, 1823, 8 a.m., took 10 gr. in substance, rubbed up with same quantity of sugar of milk. After 10 m. remarked heat of countenance, with suffusion; confusion of head, approaching, after a few moments, to vertigo; and trembling of hands, especially evident in writing. This condition tasted 1/2 h. After 12 gr. similar symptoms appeared. (Ibid.)
9. LIPPERT, on Aug. 9th, at 8 a.m., took 2 gr. rubbed up with 3j of magnesia. Urine passed after this was at first clear, but deposited on standing thick whitish flocculent sediment; 3 gr. caused same symptoms, and also three slight evacuations; more deposit was present in urine. After 4 gr., in addition to same symptoms there was considerable sweat, although prover moved about very little, and towards midday there was dull frontal headache, a symptom which appeared constantly after subsequent doses. After 5 gr., besides previous symptoms, remarkable change in circulation came on, pulse after 5 h. becoming large, bounding, and hard, and at times irregular, remaining in this condition several h. After 6 gr. giddiness and confusion of head developed themselves, accompanied by feeling of emptiness of head. Urine was somewhat more scanty than from previous doses. (Ibid.)
10. PIENITZ took 1/2 gr. on Aug. 8th, 1823, at 8 a.m., After 4 h. noticed full pulse and pressing pain behind and above each orbit, lasting 1/2 h. After 1 gr. noticed (after 2 h.) dryness of mouth, belchings, and quickened pulse. Next d. took 2 gr. This was followed by dryness in mouth lasting till e., much thirst, after 1 h. pressing pain behind both orbits lasting 1/2 h.; after 2 h. pulse accelerated a few beats in m., lasting 2 1/2 h. (Ibid.)
11. SEYFFERT, after 5 gr., fasting, on Aug. 7th, at 8 a.m., noticed transient confusion of head. On 12th, at 8 a.m., took 7 gr. After 1 h. felt confusion of head, going on to actual vertigo, and lasting over 1h. At noon giddiness returned suddenly, and was accompanied with epistaxis after stooping for 3 m. over some mechanical occupation. Similar effects followed doses of 6,7, and 8 gr., epistaxis alone excepted. (Ibid.)
12. GUNTZ took, July 8th, 8 a.m., 1 1/2 gr. in pill from. After 1 h. had feeling in epigastric region as if abdominal cavity were too full at this spot, and as if diaphragm were pressed upwards thereby. This feeling was accompanied by oppression of respiration, and lasted till noon. Similar effects, but lasting somewhat longer, followed dose of 2 gr., and, in addition, pulse was quickened by several beats and skin perspired more than usual. After 3gr. same effects followed, accompanied after 1 h. by slight pressure in frontal region. (Ibid.)
13. KNESCHKE, July 6th, at 5 p.m., took 1/2 gr. rubbed up with 2 gr. of magnesia. After 1/4 h. felt slight, but not troublesome confusion of head, as if from drinking several glasses of wine, lasting 1/2 h. Next d. took 1 gr. in pill, which he chewed thoroughly before swallowing. After 10 m. felt congestion towards head causing slight confusion of head, especially of forehead, lasting 1 h. but not passing off entirely for 4 h. After 1 h. pulse was quickened several beats; this lasted 1 h. Similar effects followed 1 1/2 gr. taken in same manner. After 2 gr. felt same effects, accompanied after 5m. by pressure in forehead and temple, pulse being meanwhile fuller and quicker, lasting 2 h. After 3 gr., in addition to foregoing symptoms, felt during 1st h. more lively than usual; effects only disappeared entirely 9 h.(Ibid.)
Hughes was a great writer and a scholar. He actively cooperated with Dr. T.F. Allen to compile his 'Encyclopedia' and rendered immeasurable aid to Dr. Dudgeon in translating Hahnemann's 'Materia Medica Pura' into English. In 1889 he was appointed an Editor of the 'British Homoeopathic Journal' and continued in that capacity until his demise. In 1876, Dr. Hughes was appointed as the Permanent Secretary of the Organization of the International Congress of Homoeopathy Physicians in Philadelphia. He also presided over the International Congress in London.