28b. Second degree of operation. – Should a dose of 10 min. be given at first, or the first dose of 5 min. be succeeded in 2 hours by another of equal amount, these symptoms supervene more rapidly, and with greater severity. The tingling extends along the arms, and the sensibility of the surface is more or less impaired. In 1.1/2 hour the pulse will probably have fallen to about 56, and become smaller and weaker than before, still maintaining, however, perfect regularity. The respirations will have diminished to about 13, presenting, at the same time, a slow laboring character. Great muscular debility is now experienced; and giddiness with confusion of sight comes on when the erect posture is assumed. The individual sinks into a lethargic condition, evinces great disinclination to be disturbed, although he rarely falls asleep, and complains much of chilliness, especially in the extremities, which are cold to the touch. These phenomena continue in their full intensity form 3 to 5 hours, when they gradually disappear, a sensation of languor, which lasts for several hour more, alone remaining.
28c. Third degree of operation. – On the administration of 5 min. more, 2 hours subsequent to the last dose, the sense of warmth, and the numbness and tingling, again spread rapidly over the body. The sensibility of the surface is still further diminished; lancinating pains in the joints are occasionally complained of; the headache, vertigo, and dimness of vision are aggravated; the countenance grows pale and anxious; the muscular feebleness increases; the voice becomes weak, and the individual is frequently impressed with the dread of approaching dissolution. Occasionally the pulse is reduced still further in strength and frequency, perhaps falling to 40, or even 36, but still maintaining its regularity. More frequently, however, it rises to 70 to 80, and becomes small weak, and probably more or less irregular. The respiratory movements are also irregular, being either short and hurried, or deep and sighing. The surface is moist, and still further reduced in temperature. Sickness may now come on; and, if formerly present, is much aggravated, and probably attended by vomiting. These symptoms do not entirely subside for one or two days. 28d. Fourth degree of operation. – If the administration be carried further, the symptoms assume a more alarming character. The countenance becomes pale and sunken; froth issues from the mouth, and the prostration increases. Two patients thus affected stated, that they felt as if dying from excessive loss of blood. Consciousness usually remains; or there may be slight wandering delirium, as occurs also after profuse haemorrhage. The voice is whispering, or is altogether lost. The pulse becomes still smaller, weaker, and more irregular, and the breathing more imperfect. The surface is colder than before, and is covered with a clammy sweat.
28e. The sense of swelling or distension, already noticed as being felt in lips and tongue, often extends over face and to different parts of body.
28f. Some patients complain of a feeling of weight, as if a heavy load were resting on the abdomen, and bearing them down to the bed.
28g. If the administration of the drug has been continued for a week or more, several day elapse before the heart recovers itself; shortly after which event, I have generally observed that the pulse becomes somewhat quicker and fuller than natural; in short, a slight degree of reaction is established. In one instance, this state was indicated not only by elevation of pulse, but by slight headache, and heat and dryness skin.
28h. In 10 out of 43 cases in which I have watched its action it produced a decided sudorific effect. All of these belonged to the non inflammatory class of diseases, or were healthy individuals. Diaphoresis rarely occurs until the circulation has been depressed to a considerable extent.
28 i. I have not met with any convincing evidence that A. is a cumulative remedy. In two cases, however, symptoms presented themselves which induce me to suspect that it is so. The individuals were affected with general tremors, severe pain in head and eyeballs, constant lachrymation, intense photophobia, heat of skin, quick pulse, and great restlessness, – symptoms which, while very different from those ordinarily produced by A., still were distinctly attributable to its continued use. In the cases referred to, the medicine being discontinued, the use. In the cases referred to, the medicine being discontinued, the symptoms, which were by no means alarming, disappeared in a day of two. (FLEMING, On Aconite, 1843.)
29. A healthy and robust girl, age. 19, confined to bed by sprain of ankle, took 5 min. of tincture thrice daily for 3 days; pulse became a little slower, weaker, and slightly irregular, and she sweated copiously after each later dose. For 8 days took 7.1/2 min. daily; pulse 60-68, small and weak; no sweating now. The following symptoms have been experienced from the medicine (beginning 1/2 hour after a dose, and continuing 2 or 3 hours):- General warmth; numbness and prickling; crampy pains in muscles; dazzling and dimness of vision; sickness, rarely vomiting; loss of power over extremities; great lassitude; and impaired sensibility of surface. Numbness and tingling are first felt in sprained ankle, where they are accompanied by slight pain. 10 min. were then taken for 2 days, and after an interval of 5 days. without medicine, from 5 to 10 min. thrice daily for 3 days more. On 3rd days, at 11 p.m. after recovering from effects of 10 min. taken at 8 a.m., she was seized with general trembling, violent headache, pain of eyeballs, constant lachrymation, and intense photophobia; the skin was hot and dry. She spent a very restless night, and next morning symptoms still continued, with somewhat diminished intensity. Vascularity of conjunctiva was not increased. There was thirst and anorexia; tongue moist, slightly furred; pulse 78, weak, and slightly irregular. Symptoms did not completely disappear till next day. Six days later resumed drug, taking 5 doses of 3-7.1/2 min. in day. Next day, at 6 p.m., great general debility; says she feels as if recovering from fever; complains of thirst and headache; temperature of skin slightly increased. Still some thirst and headache on the morrow. (Ibid., p. 145.)
30. Dr. H. NANKIVELL took A. in doses of from 1 drop to 30 of mother tincture. His temperature rose to 100, but no higher; and after giving up the drug the feverish effect seemed to pass away after one or two copious night perspiration. (Monthl. Hom. Rev., xvii, 647.)
31. Dr. NICHOLSON made a number of trials on himself with small material doses of A. He could trace nothing beyond physiological oscillations of the pulse. The changes manifested by the sphygmograph were constant after similar but less marked after lx, absent after 1. They were – a more vertical primary rise, then a quick and slight descent and rise again, forming a double curve instead of the single downward curve; and remainder of line is unaltered. the pulse hence becomes softer, with a fullness yielding to the finger, and shows a tendency to dicrotism. There is a more sudden expansion of the artery, but a diminution or unevenness of arterial tension. The changes present, viz.: the rapid distension and alteration of systolic curve, show a tendency to the pulse of pyrexia, not the hard pulse characteristic of the rigor, but rather that of reaction when the patient’s condition improves. (Ibid., xx, 762.)
32. Dr. DESCHERE touched tongue with stopper of bottle of tinct. After 5 minutes feeling of smarting coolness of soft palate, soon extending to pharynx, as if peppermint were placed there. This remained all evening, and could into be removed by gargling or washing out mouth. Restless at night, tossing about in bed; drawing pain and soreness in left shoulder and arm (on which he found himself lying each time he woke). At 77 a.m. gurgling in bowels, followed by an urgent, gushing stool, with great tenesmus. Six more followed during day, of yellow water mixed with white foam, preceded by gurgling, but without pain. Chilly feeling, with white cold hands, towards evening. Very drowsy and sleepy all next day, no stool. ON 4th days stitches in splenic region, worse on pressure. or deep inspiration; in evening stool of natural consistence, but of white-yellow colour. (ALLEN, Encyclopaedia, vol. x, sub voce.)
33. SIEGEL chewed some of the root of acon. at 4 p.m.; soon burning and tingling in tongue and palate. At 6 p.m., horripilation all over body, and vertigo; at supper felt inclination to vomit. Then horripilation frequent, praecordial anxiety, vertigo, prostration, tenesmus like urging to stool and urine. Took an emetic of ipec., vomited contents of stomach, confusion of head, slight distortions of limbs and eyes, lipothymia; skin dry first night, sleeplessness; next day. praecordial anxiety, distension of abdomen and prostration. (Nov. act. phys. med., t. vi, p.129.)
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.