15b. “I found him in bed, very anxious and alarmed about himself, although at times he was in a half unconscious state, and slightly delirious. He was swollen all over, but more especially about face and neck, abdomen, and limbs. The entire skin was covered with a red rash, very much resembling scarlatina, only, if anything, of a less bright colour and somewhat rougher to the feel than the common type of that exanthem (the smooth scarlatina of Sydenham.). The skin was hot and dry, the breathing oppressed, and the pulse quick, but somewhat weak. He complained of fullness and confusion in the head; the face was flushed, and the eyes suffused.” After camphor and belladonna, speedy improvement ensued; he passed an unusually large amount of urine; gentle diaphoresis followed; and the swelling subsided as rapidity as it had risen. After some h. sleep, all traces of the indisposition had vanished. (CHEFMELL, Hints for Study of Homoeopathy, p. 135.) 15. A boy of 10, while dressing after bathing in a river, was stung on r. hand by a “yellow-jacket;” immediately commenced itching and burning all over, and when he reached home “was all broke out.” He was found covered from head to foot with elevated circular and oblong patches, which soon ran together, forming an entire blotch over back, arms, and legs. Eruption on its first appearance was white, but on rubbing parts would become pinkish. It was accompanied with intense itching, stinging, and burning, causing continual scratching and rubbing. Patient was otherwise quite well, and pulse was but slightly quickened. Under Ledum 5 eruption soon subsided. (Hahn. Monthly, Sept., 1875.) [ This case and the following have been introduced to show the identity of effect between bee-sting and wasp-stings, in view of the clinical experience in favour of Apis in inflammation of the cornea.-EDS.] 16. In Oct., 1875, a child was stung by two wasps in r. supra-orbital region. The stings caused no inflammation, and soon healed; but some day later, her father brought me the little girl, who had lachrymation, with a little redness and burning of l. eye. Towards it centre the cornea presented a whitish patch extending some millimetres; the sight was naturally obscured. Mercurius sol. was prescribed, and in 10 or 12 day a cure was effected; but some day later a new opacity appeared in l. eye, which departed under same treatment. (Dr. CASAL, Bull. de Soc. Hom. de France, xviii, 112.) 17. I am 37 years old, nervous, of sanguine temperament, and have good health. My voice has always indicated rather weak bronchial organs. Never had a cough, however, before I experienced bee poisoning. I began bee keeping on a somewhat extensive scale in the year 1878, and it has been my sole occupation ever since. I have had as many as 550 colonies in the apiaries at one time. Seven years ago I began to notice an itching sensation in the ears. This would come on at times; and after about two years it extended to the glands inside the mouth, and near the root of the tongue. After about one more year the sensation began to be very severe in the roof of the mouth, just around and in front of the palate. It was at this time that I first discovered that the affection had a connection with the bees. To sweep the floor of one of my rooms where bees had fallen and been trodden upon was sure to bring on this sensation at once. Next I found that to open a hive and breathe the odour of the bees (especially if not thoroughly subdued) would also cause the trouble. But business must be attended to, and I persisted in working among the bees and bees-hives till the itching and tingling sensation crept down the bronchial tubes all around about the lungs. On n. after a day’s work among the bees I woke up about midnight with the asthma. I was not sure then that bee poisoning was the cause. Finally, I began making tests. Leaving the whole business for two weeks I was almost entirely clear of all except the first symptoms in the ears, which only troubled me occasionally. The first breath of bee poison I inhaled on my return was followed by all the former symptoms, seemingly in an increased degree, and in 10 m. my throat turned red, and clearly showed severe irritation. I resolved to hire more help, add to the business of honey production that of manufacturing and selling bee-keepers’ supplies, and in that way absent myself from contact with the virus to a greater extent, and yet keep busy. I have done so, and am in consequence quite free from the trouble most of the time. But if I at any time come in contact with the position my symptoms seem to be as radical as ever, yes, even more so. I will cite one instance. All apiarists know that often when a maddened threatening bee flits around one’s head it discharges into the air its poison. It is recognized by the nasal organs only. Now, I have found that this occurs when none of the five senses of the healthy bee-master recognizes it. One day last autumn, after I had kept from all contact with the poison for some weeks, and had no troublesome symptoms, I stepped into my yard, when an ugly bee passed within about eight inches of my face, discharging poison as it passed. About one half hour after I was seized with perhaps the most severe paroxysm of my experience. First symptoms were an almost unbearable itching, tingling sensation of the roof of the mouth, and so on down the breathing tubes as far as they extend, then an asthmatic filling- up sensation. For more than 8 h. I could not speak aloud. For 2 or 3 d. I could not raise my voice above common conversation. All passed off, leaving me as well as ever, by keeping away from the poison.
In correspondence with one Italian and one German of large apicultural experience in the old countries I learn that such cases are known there. (JAS. HEDDON, Hom. Physician, April, 1882.).
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.