Acidum Picricum


Proving Symptoms of homeopathy medicine Acidum Picricum, described by Richard Hughes in his book, A Cyclopedia of Drug Pathogenesis, published in 1895….


Introduction

Picric acid, carbazotic acid, C6H2(NO2)3OH. Product of action of nitric acid on several substances (as carbolic acid and salicin).

Provings

1a. PARISEL. a. Non-impregnation. – We administered and took ourselves, an hour before food, a wineglassful of picric wine (1 grm. to 1 litre). The aperient effect was greater than that of absinthe, but the bitterness was extreme. The same effect was complained of by a lady who took at the same time half a glass of aqueous solution, 1 in 10,000. Besides this effect there occurred slight diuresis. As a local effect, slight warmth at the stomach following the ingestion was noticed.

1b. Picratisation. (produced by doses of 0.05 to 0.20 grms. in the 24 hours). – The first symptom (and the most apparent) of “picratisation” is the coloration of the integuments, and notably of the conjunctivae, of a clear yellow. The subject seems attacked with simple jaundice. Cerebral symptoms are only produced if the impregnation is effected with heavy doses; if the daily doses (from 0.05 grm. to 0.20 grm.) are spread over the 24 hours the cephalic effects are totally wanting. The appetite is diminished rather than augmented. The effect upon the kidney is very remarkable; the activity of this viscus, which was stimulated by tonic doses, is now diminished; the urine is less abundant, and its colour varies from yellowish orange to blood red, according to the intensity of the impregnation. Lastly the acid comports itself as an irritant to the kidney. Its irritation is general, and if the organs is healthy may have no ill effects, especially if the ingestion of the drug be not prolonged. Besides the coloration and the quantity the urine varies in appearance. When picratisation is complete and strongly kept up, at the same time that decided anuria is produced the liquid becomes thicker and more viscid, as if full of flocculi. This appearance is generally due to mucus. When the urine arrives at this stage its colour is always of a blood red. Last and most important of all the phenomena of picratisation is the slowing of the circulation. This phenomenon, which we have studied upon about thirty individuals, including ourselves, is only slightly manifest after small doses. But in proportion as the dose becomes large the effect is more powerful. We shall study it presently in speaking of intoxication from the acid, but even with doses of 0.20 grm. taken within 1 hour we have found the difference to be on the average from 4 to 5 beats of the pulse. The effect is produced from 1 1/2 to 2 hours after the ingestion of the dose. I ought to state that in two of these thirty individuals I found not slowing, but on the contrary a slight febrile disturbance.

1c. Picric intoxication requires for its production doses of 0.3 to 0.6 of the acid, and presents three periods: 1, a period of cerebral excitation; 2, a sedative effect; 3, return to the normal state or reaction.

1d. On 16th December, 1867, at 8 a.m., took 3 pilules, each containing 0.10 grm. of acid, and 1/2 hour afterwards two others of the same strength; the total quantity of acid absorbed was therefore about 0.5 grm. At the commencement of the experiment the pulse was 71; 1/2 hour after 2nd dose buzzing and whistling in ears, though not severe, sparks, whirling round of objects, heaviness of head alternating with sensation of emptiness. At 9.15 a moderately copious stool, oily-looking, yellowish; the cerebral symptoms were relieved; at 9.30 pulse 58; at 10 a second stool, pulse 55; at 10.30, 52; at 10.45 a third stool, urine red; at 11 pulse 48, small, feeble, scarcely able to lift finger; great weakness, necessitating lying down; the limbs seemed hardly able to stir themselves; no anxiety; profound calm. In evening no appetite; at 6 pulse 60, still feeble; at 10, 65, stronger; perspiration; sleep pretty good. Next morning vivid coloration of sclerotics and integuments, urine coloured, pulse 75, fairly strong; still some weakness. The appetite is returning, but after a short walk repose is still some weakness. The appetite is returning, but after a short walk repose is still necessary. In evening, and especially next day, nothing special, except coloration of the urine, which lasted 6 days, and that of skin, which lasted 10.

1e. Three experiments upon a man suffering from panaris and a woman with abscess of the breast, both affections being in the stage of cicatrisation at the time. The man took 0.5 and the women 0.4 grm. Both presented the above symptoms, with slight modifications. Thus the man had very slight sweating, the minimum of the pulse was 52, the rate at starting being 75, the coloration of the skin only lasted 7 days. The woman, on the contrary, had abundant sweats, four stools, after the last she was very weak and had to be put to bed; from 70 the pulse fell to 50, and was very feeble; during the reaction it rose to 80; the skin coloration lasted 9 day.

1f. Slow poisoning. – In certain cases where we have pushed the picratisation a little too far, we have been arrested by certain symptoms evidently the result of slow poisoning. The principal of these is again furnished by the pulse, which manifests in fact a febrile movement of the intermittent quotidian type. The attack is, however, rarely grave. There is present anorexia, thirst, often sweat, cancerous tint about the skin, tendency to cachexia. All these symptoms speedily disappear on the cessation of the drug. Another important symptom which often occasions the interruption of the experiment is a sensation about the region of the kidneys, which often turns to true pain, indicating evidently irritation of the kidneys. To cause these symptoms in the healthy subject we gave the acid steadily for three months in repeated doses of 0.10 during the first two months, and 0.15 during the last. (De l’ Acide Picrique.)

2. W. S.F. -, in perfect health; never had headache of any kind. Bowels normal and regular. January 29th, 30th, 31st, and February 2nd, took one dose of 30th. No symptoms. February 3rd, 8 a.m., one powder of 1st cent. On 3rd, at 3 p.m., pain in right supra-orbital region, sharp and vibrating, stopping a moment or so, and then beginning again (lasted 1/2 hour). 4th, 3 p.m., dull, sleepy pain in the forehead, with sour eructations (lasting 1 hour) 9:30 p. m. Dull, stunning pain in chest, with twitching in throat. Sharp, cutting pain in left temple over small transverse branch of temporal artery. 5th. – Awoke with very strong erections, and pain in abdomen; pass great deal of wind from the bowels on moving; sour, bitter taste in mouth; nose filled with mucus; can breathe only through mouth; relieved by going into open air. 8 a.m. 1 dose 1st. 11 a.m. Pain in left thigh in front; could hardly flex and extend the leg; lasting 15 m. 7:30 p.m. Sour eructations of gas and ingesta; severe pain in back of left leg, extending to sole of foot, with sensation as if foot would go to sleep; relieved by motion and open air. 6th, 6 a.m., awoke with emission and very firm erection, which continued about 10 m. after emission; crawling, stinging pains in abdomen; bad taste as if of gas in mouth, and water-brash; throat dry and husky; nose filled up; could only breathe with mouth open; crawling pain in sole of left foot and under patella; sensation as if sand was in eyes, with smarting pain and acrid tears; all symptoms relieved by cold water and walking in open air. 7th, 8 a.m., 1 dose 1st. 12 m., rumbling pain in abdomen; weakness of legs at knees; head feels as if falling forward; eyes watery, stinging pain in them; taste sour; bad taste in mouth. 5 p.m. Dull, sleepy pain over left temple; chest feels tight as if encircled by a band. 8th, 4 a.m., terrible erections. 7 a.m. Awoke with sharp stinging pain in both eyes, and dull, rumbling, and colic-like pains in abdomen; numb, sleepy pain in legs, extending to soles of the feet, relieved by cold water and open air. 9 p.m. Great heaviness of both legs; knees feels weak; lame and tired sensation all over body. General relief from open air and motion. Most marked symptoms were heaviness and weakness of limbs; general lassitude; terrible erections; headache, which he never before had. (N. Y. Journ of Hom., ii, 154.)

3. J. E. T. -, in good health, bowels regular, urine normal. I first tried 30th, 15th, 5th, with no effect. January 29th, 4 p.m., 1 powder, 1st cent. 8 p.m. Dull pain in supra-orbital region, coming from occiput. Can’t keep the eyes open in studying; general sense of lassitude. Sleep restless, with terrible erections. 30th, 8 a.m., same pains continue; worse from movement and stooping. Great weakness in lower limbs. 31st. – No more symptoms. 4 p.m. 1 dose, 1st cent. 10 p.m. Slight frontal headache, with sickness at stomach as from a weight. February 1st – Long-continued and violent erections all night. 2nd, 2 p.m., 1 dose, 1st. 7 p.m. Numb sensation in lower limbs. Sleep restless. Erections like h-, violent, strong, and long-lasting, which I though would surely rupture penis; followed by profuse seminal emissions. 3rd. – Dull pain in supra-orbital region. Soft, light coloured stool passed with much straining 6 p.m. Heavy, dull pain in small of back. 5th, 8 a.m., 1 dose, 1st 2 p.m. Dull, heavy supra-orbital headache as before. 9 p.m. Very sleepy, can’t keep my eyes open. Urine increased, and of a light amber colour. Numbness in left foot. 6th. Violent erections all night, could not sleep for them; had to get up, walk about and bathe parts in cold water. Pains in calves of legs lasting all night. Dull, heavy headache lasting all days, coming first on right side, then spreading to left. 7 p.m. Urine increased and of a light colour. Great weakness and heaviness of lower limbs. like 7th, 8 a.m., 1 powder, 1st cent. 12. Pricking sensation, as from needles, in legs and feet. Soft stool with much tenesmus. 8th, 9 a.m., 1 powder, 1st. 8 p.m. Pressure over both eyes; worse from studying and motion, better from sitting still. Sleep broken up by violent erections, lasting all night; had to sit up. 9th, 2 p.m., 1 powder, 1st. 9 p.m. Very sleepy and tired; head feels dull and heavy; feet feel as if frostbitten; calves of both legs feel lame and sore. Urine still pale and increased. Sleep restless, and violent erections. 10th, 11 a.m., erections with severe pain in left testicle, as if bruised, extending up cord as far as external abdominal ring. 12 m. Dizziness and vertigo, lasting 1/2 hour, worse when rising up from sitting position. 11th, 8 p.m., took 1 dose 1st. Sleeplessness all night. Arose at 3 a.m. and took a dose of coffea, without effect. February 12th, dreaming all night, but without the usual terrible erections. (Ibid., p. 155.)

Richard Hughes
Dr. Richard Hughes (1836-1902) was born in London, England. He received the title of M.R.C.S. (Eng.), in 1857 and L.R.C.P. (Edin.) in 1860. The title of M.D. was conferred upon him by the American College a few years later.

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.