Aconitinum



4b. Pulse being 66 and respirations 17, he took gr. 1/150, and did not rise from chair for 3 hours. After 40 morning, pulse 60, unchanged, respirations 17; somnolency coming on. After 1.1/4 hours, pulse 58, unchanged; respirations 16; pupils unchanged. Had slept for 20 morning; a general glow pervaded body. After 3 hours pulse 56, unchanged unaffected by deep inspirations; respirations 16, regular. The glow and somnolency continued, and he had dozed several times; tongue and pupils unchanged, and he felt comfortable throughout.

4c. On another occasion, after sitting still for 1.1/2 hours, at the end of which time pulse was 60, respirations 17 to 16, I gave him gr. 1/100. After 1.1/4 hours pulse 54, unchanged in volume and power; tongue and pupils unchanged. After 3 hours pulse 52, of initial volume and power; respirations 16, natural; pupils very slightly dilated (?). He felt warm and dozed much after the medicine.

4d. He then took gr. 1/5 0 repeatedly, at intervals of 3 days, at 9 a.m. The effects were uniform. The medicine “upset him” very much all days; he felt languid and sleepy; could not hold his head up or keep his days; he felt languid and sleepy; could not hold his head up or keep his eyes open. He was giddy, and could not walk across room without help; vision was hazy; erect position induced nausea. He could not eat much on the medicine days on account of a difficulty of swallowing and a pain in back of neck and behind jaws in parotid region, so that in eating he had to press back of neck with hand. A glowing, tingling feeling pervaded the body, and there was a burning feeling in the gullet, as if a hot coal were there. The tingling in mouth and face came on within 1/2 hours, the somnolency after 1.1/2 or 2 hours. At first he slept for 1 hour, but afterwards sleep was dreamy and broken. Giddiness, dimness of vision and muscular weakness were most marked within 6th and 10th hours. There was always some dysuria, and occasionally retention wit hypogastric pain. Nausea was generally a prominent symptom, and pain in neck often remained until next day.

I kept him under observation for 3 hours after one dose, but could detect no appreciable effect on either pulse, pupils, or breathing. At the end of this time pulse was 60, of good volume and power, a trifle more compressible perhaps than before the dose; but this will always be found the case after a long rest of mind and body, and with a tendency to sleep. The respiration 17, regular and easy; tongue and pupils unchanged.

4e. These observations were repeated on two other adult males with uniform results. Doses ranging from gr. 1/75 to gr. 1/50 always produce decided aconitism, general numbness and tingling, but most marked in face and throat; nausea, giddiness, somnolency, and muscular weakness. This latter is always a prominent effect, and strongly resembles the condition induced by hemlock.

4f. F. G.-, aged 12, a well-developed boy, affected with epilepsy. The 1/100th of a grain given repeatedly at intervals of 3 days produced following effects:

After 3/4 hour tingling pricking sensation running up legs to spine and head, and tingling of fingers; much giddiness and somnolency, but sleep disturbed by frequent awakings. After 2 hours unable to walk or even stand without great exertion, and on rising from recumbent posture was unable to see for a morning, and there was nausea. The effects lasted for 7 or 8 hours, after which he slept quite comfortably, and felt quite well the next day. I was unable to discover any influence on the breathing, pulse, pupils, or tongue, nor was there any diminution of temperature.

This observation was repeated with uniform results on another boy, aged 9. (St. Thomas’s Hosp. Reports, v. 146.)

5. Reil dissolved gr. 1.3/6 in 200 drops of alcohol, and took from 5 to 30 drops (gr. 1/25 to 1/4), diluted with water, in gradually increasing doses. He experienced feeling of fulness in cheeks and temples, which by degrees was exchanged for a painful sense of tension, formication, and prickling; the temples throbbed, the head ached, the yes felt strained, the pupils were dilated, the sight was obscure, there was oppressed and sighing breathing, ringing in the ears, and increased urination, and, for 3 days following, nocturnal pollutions to which the experimenter was not accustomed. (STILLE, Mat. Medorrhinum, ii. 311) [ Referred to ‘Mat. Medorrhinum d. rein. chem Pflanzenstoffe,’ p. 26, but this work not accessible. EDS.].

Poisonings

1. A gentleman took gr. 2.1/2. He must have fallen almost immediately, and struck his head against the furniture; either the poison or the blow must have caused violent vomiting, as the floor of his room was found flooded with vomited matter; in 8 hours; patient was fearfully collapsed, skin cold, sweating, and quite pale; heart’s action almost imperceptible; pupils acted; no paralysis; intellect unimpaired; he suffered from severe vomiting matter; in 8 hours patient was fearfully collapsed, skin cold, sweating, and quite pale; heart’s action almost imperceptible pupils acted; no paralysis; intellect unimpaired; he suffered from severe vomiting, which recurred every 2 or 3 morning, and was performed by a sudden jerking action of abdominal muscles, accompanied by a loud shout, probably dependent upon a sudden contraction of the diaphragm. Every attempt to swallow was followed by the spasmodic contractions so characteristic of hydrophobia, but they were not renewed by the sight of water. All these convulsive movements, however, were easily excited by simply touching him. Stimulants with opium were administered. He passed the night in spasms and exhaustion, but his intellect was perfect, even vivid; after a hard struggle seemed out of danger next day. (Golding Bird, Lancet, January first, 1848.)

2. H. L.-, labourer, was given for a periodical hemicrania (he being otherwise well), a solution of nitrate of a. in tincture of chenopodium, which he was to take in increasing doses. 2a. March 14th, at 7 p.m., took 5 drops (=0.0004). Complained immediately of constricting and burning sensation extending from mouth to stomach. Feeling chilly, went to bed. At 9 p.m. took 20 drops, and experienced same sensation more severely. 15 morning later felt very sick and complained of fear that he would die; ice-cold sensation creeps up from his feet; in praecordial region an oppressive anguish, and excessive bitter and burning anguish in throat. His whole body is bedewed with a cold, clammy sweat; he cannot see any more; is dizzy and deaf. 15 morning later he vomited copiously, with gradual decrease of all the symptoms, and sleep followed. During whole time felt fearfully exhausted as if paralysed, with great difficulty of breathing. His wife says that his breathing was audibly rattling, but that consciousness was undisturbed. No urination during night nor any inclination thereto. Next morning felt tolerably well, and took a cup of coffee and an egg without any inclination to vomit. At 8 a.m. took 20 drops, and shortly afterwards the same symptoms reappeared. He grew cold, had sensation of anguish in praecordial and gastric region, breathing oppressed, was deaf and blind, and felt great malaise. His wife says that twitchings and spasms over whole body set in, especially in face. 20 morning after taking dose spontaneous vomiting occurred, with relief of all the symptoms.

2b. At 11 a.m. 20 drops; same symptoms. With every dose state during intervals, became worse. He felt continually weaker and more exhausted, with all energy lost, and sense as if paralysed. In the afternoon again 290 drops, with same result. Increasing constriction of mouth and fauces after doses. At 9:30 p.m. again 20 drops. Though medicine was always diluted with water, he drank now in extra quantity of cold water to prevent vomiting, and did not throw up dose. He went to bed, and soon fell asleep. Sleep restless, rather a slumber only. Between 11 and 12 he felt very sick, and called out, full of anguish; “So chilly, my chest, my chest, I feel awfully chilly, what shall I do? I am poisoned.” Now genuine convulsions in hands, arms and face set in. He was totally blind and deaf. His eyes were closed, his lips dry and fissured, his tongue stiff, he could not open his mouth, he felt chilly and as if dying; breathing became rattling and moaning, quick. More severe convulsions alternated with quieter intervals. Draughts of strong hot tea were given half-hourly. His taste was entirely gone, so that he did not know whether the tea was hot or cold. 5 morning after drinking vomited copiously, with great rattling in chest. All this time he remained perfectly conscious. About 15 morning after having vomited felt some relief. With every subsequent vomiting, aided by copious draughts of hot tea, amelioration increased and chest felt more free. The symptoms gradually abated, and for an hour he enjoyed a quiet sleep with easy respiration. On waking he complained only of weakness. He passed no urine during the night, though he tried to do so towards morning.

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.