27. Bitter-almond water. Aqua amygdalarum amararum. – Prepared according to Pharmacop. Saxon. 1 lb. bitter almonds are mixed with 1 oz. highly rectified spirits of wine and 6 lbs. water, and 3 lbs. extracted by distillation, latter being preparation used in following experiments.
ENGLER, on June 20th, 1822, at 8 a.m., took 5 drops in 1 oz. of water, and remarked that his pulse in 1 h. fell to 61. He obtained same effect on 21st, after taking 10 drops, at 8 a.m. within 15 m. pulse beating 64 (instead of 70 as usual); on this occasion also in short time feeling of heaviness in forehead came on. 22nd, 8 a.m. took 15 drops; this produced very shortly slowing of pulse by 5 or 6 beats, and during forenoon pressive pain in forehead about orbits, 26th.- 20 drops take at 6 p.m. caused during whole of following n. severe headache spread over whole head, whereby sleep was disturbed; pulse being same as from previous dose. 28th.- After 25 drops, taken at 8 a.m. pulse, after lapse of 15 m., fell to 50, and continued in this state for a whole h. During whole forenoon l. half of head was confused, but at midday this vanished by degrees. 29th, 8 a.m., he took 30 drops, and found pulse shortly afterwards had fallen to 61; noticed during whole forenoon pressure above orbits an compression of l. side of head; in afternoon inclination to sleep. July 1st.- Took 40 drops, at 8 a.m. Not only slowing of pulse to 54 beats came on, but during forenoon also complete confusion of whole head, which in afternoon was limited to l. side. In afternoon drowsiness and fatigue again followed. (JORG, op. cit.)
28. MEURER took 20 drops on June 22nd, 8 a.m. and experienced slight and transient confusion of whole head. 28th, 8 a.m. took 30 drops, and 2 h. later 40 drops; general confusion of head followed both doses, but without stabbing, and less after 2nd than after 1st dose. Pulse was only a few beats slower, fatigue during afternoon slight, and during whole day felt inclination and strength for mental work. 30th.- Took 3 doses of 50 drops each, at 7, 9 and 11 a.m. and noticed after them weight and confusion of head, as from commencing cold, pulse falling 5 beats in m.; inclination for work was not exactly great, but he did not feel unfit for mental occupation. Enjoyed his dinner, drank two glasses of white wine, and felt afterwards quite well (Ibid.)
29. KNESCHKE, on June 29th, tried 30 drops, and immediately after taking was surprised by slight confusion of head, which vanished, however, a few m. afterwards. On July 1st, after 40 drops, noticed same effect; confusion of head was more perceptible, but did not last any longer. Pulse after both doses remained unaltered. (Ibid.)
30. SIEBENHAAR, after dose of 10 drops, taken May 22nd, 1824, 8 a.m., was perceptibly indisposed, for at 9 0’clock dull headache, attacking forehead and temples especially, came on, ceasing towards 11 a.m. Found pulse at first somewhat stimulated, later on somewhat slower than usual. (Ibid.)
31. JORG. on May 21st, 1824, at 8 a.m. took 8 drops; “4 m. afterwards scraping in larynx, slight pressure in forehead, confusion of head and slowing of pulse by about 5 beats resulted. Towards 11 all effect had ceased except laryngeal affection; towards afternoon scraping feeling was succeeded by increased secretion of mucus in larynx. On 22nd, at 8 a.m. took 12 drops in 1/2 oz. of water; besides foregoing symptoms, from 9 to 11 felt numerous fleeting stitches and variably lasting pains immediately below l. nipple in thorax, causing inspiration and expiration to be considerably oppressed. 23rd, 8 a.m. 14 drops taken in 1/2 oz. of water: this produced not only weight, but also confusion of head and of common sensation for about an h.; during afternoon and e. lassitude and drowsiness, and following n. very sound and deep sleep, after which I rose with difficulty in the morning, feeling as if I had not slept enough. 24th. – Experimented with 16 drops, and experienced tipsy feeling in brain, confusion of head and of whole body, but neither greater nor lasting longer than previous day; lassitude and weariness were less troublesome than after smaller dose. Scrapping in larynx was most troublesome, causing, within 15 m., hoarseness which lasted whole d., and in e. and during whole of succeeding d. increased secretion of mucus in air-passages, especially in larynx. I must not omit to mention that the cold, wet, stormy weather of most of the days on which these experiments were made may have predisposed the air-passages to inflammatory affections.” (Ibid.)
32. LEMBKE took of the 2nd trit. (1 to 50) of Kali cyanatum 1 gr., increasing up to 8 gr., of the 1st trit. 3 gr., then the same day 10 gr., the following day 35 gr,; then of a solution of 1 gr. in 1 drachm water, increasing up to 20 drops. When triturating he felt heat in head, stupefaction, twitching stitches in heart on expiration, breathing superficial; all these lasted 3 h. As the medicine seemed to have become decomposed before it was used he does not give the full list of the symptoms observed. They were chiefly: pain in various joints and muscles, stitches in heart and lungs, oppression of chest, general exhaustion, pulse often 15 beats slower; moving about in open air removed the symptoms. (Allg. h. Z., xlix, 179.)
33. Mr. -, aet. 26, in good health and of simple habits. a. Took gr. j. of 3rd cent. trit. of kali cyanatum Dec. 13th, 1859, and repeated it n. and m. until 15th. On this day had, just after rising, sharp stitch in r. shoulder, recurring several m. in succession; also felt at other times, though less marked. Sleep was restless for some nights, dreamful for two. For 2 d. desire to find fault; drowsiness almost uncontrollable in room; cold open air restores natural humour.
33 b. Dec. 15th, 1860, took gr. j of 1st cent. trit. at 10 a.m. and repeated dose n. and m. for 4 d. On 17th, on movement in open air, shooting pains about eyes, and later dull pressive pain there, also very marked weakness in loins and iliac regions, with dull pains in latter; restless, dreamful sleep all n. On 18th lumber weakness continues, and r. knee is seat of frequent twitches, becoming continued pain. On 19th lassitude all forenoon, becoming moroseness in e.; he carries on a kind of conversation with himself, as if quarreling with someone. This state of mind is really painful. Throughout proving he was easily provoked, and impatient at trifles. In night dreams horrid and exciting, with partial waking and turning between them. Symptoms then passed off. [ The second prover’s health was too variable for his symptoms to be taken as trustworthy. -EDS] (Publications of Mass. Hom. Soc., 1861-2.).
Poisonings
1. A girl, aet. 22, swallowed by mistake a dose of prussic acid, equivalent to a little less than a grain of the pure poison. At the time this was taken she was sitting on a chair, but she instantly jumped up, ran for a short distance holding up her arms and gasping as it were for breath; she then fell, became insensible, and was violently convulsed, muscles of face undergoing great distortion, limbs becoming spasmodically extended, and head drawn on shoulders. In this state she was removed to bed, and was seen directly afterwards by Mr. Watson, who found her lying on back, with body drawn a little forwards; limbs fixed and extended in tetanic spasm; whole face swollen, turgid, and almost purple from congestion; jaws clenched; mouth covered with foam; eyes half closed, but prominent and glistening, with pupils widely dilated, and quite insensible to light. She was breathing slowly, with deep prolonged inspirations, and uttering a moaning noise. Pulse at wrist could not be felt, although the heart still continued to beat with a feeble fluttering effort.
The symptoms so closely resembled an epileptic fit that the medical men who were called in supposed at first that the patient was laboring under such an attack; but soon discovering that she was suffering from the effect of h. a., they instantly adopted means for her recovery, but without the least avail, for the breathing became slower and slower, the limbs at this time remaining fixed and immovable, and she died in from 15 to 20 minutes after ingestion of poison.
The post-mortem appearances in this case were as usual in poisoning by h. a. The cerebral vessels, both upon the surface and in the substance of the brain, were full of black, fluid blood; the lungs were highly congested; the cavities of the heart full of black, uncoagulated blood. (LETHEBY, Pharm. Journ., iv, 510.)
2. A gentleman, aet. 31, had been taking h. a. for a gastrodynia, and gradually increasing the dose, till on 5th day, 3is had been taken, without effect of any kind. On the 6th day, he swallowed of the dilute acid of the Dublin Pharmacopoeia (1.6 per cent.) In 2 m. after taking this quantity, he experienced a sensation of extreme bitterness in the mouth, and having walked a few paces, was affected with great confusion, headache, and loud ringing in the ears. He now with difficulty retraced his steps; and leaning forward on a table, became insensible. His thighs became rigid, and were drawn up upon the abdomen; and as he was about falling backwards he was caught and placed on the ground. The upper extremities were then observed to be also rigid; and on drawing them from the side they forcibly reverted to their former position. The eyes were shut, the teeth clenched, and the muscles of the face violently convulsed. After remaining in this state 3 or 4 m. rapid recovery took place under the use of ammonia; but pain and feeling of distension in head continued for remainder of day. (GEOGHEGAN, Dub. Medorrhinum, Journ., November 1835.)
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.