Introduction
Apocynum cannabinum, L. Indian [ I.e. American Indian: not to be confounded with Cannabis Indica, the hemp of Hindustan] hemp. Nat Ord., Apocynaceae.
Provings
1. Dr. MARCY took, for 6 d. 5 drops, 3 times daily of 3rd dil. No unusual sensations were observed until 5th m. of proving, when on walking he felt a sinking at stomach, dryness of mouth, thirst, nausea, irresistible disposition to sigh, short and unsatisfactory respiration, short and dry cough, scanty expectoration of white mucus. These symptoms continued during day, and on retiring there was in addition unusual heat of skin, general restlessness and desire to sleep without ability to do so. During entire d. urine was natural in quantity and reaction. The n. was one of great restlessness and little sleep. Next m. unrefreshed, and with symptoms as on 5th day; but urine was diminished in quantity, though normal to all tests. Symptoms of 7th d. and n. were a continuation of those of 6th. On 8th d. stomach and chest symptoms had lessened; urine had increased in quantity and was much lighter than usual. On evening of 8th d. he experienced an unusual heaviness of head, with aching pains in small of back and limbs; no tenderness of renal region on pressure, but slight soreness there on bringing muscles into action. From 9th to 13 day symptoms gradually declined. (HALE, New Remedies, 2nd ed.) 2a. Dr. PETERS took half-wineglassful doses of Hunt’s decoction of A. 3 times a d. for a week. For first few days no perceptible effect, save increased tendency to constipation, and decided scantiness of urine, with more flatulence than usual and slight uneasy sensation in bowels. About 4th d. decided distension of upper abdomen began to occur, especially after (moderate) meals; oppression of chest was sometimes so great that he felt he had hardly breath enough to smoke a cigar, or to speak with any comfort. Urine diminished to 1/3rd of usual quantity, flowing sluggishly, of light golden sherry colour, without sediment; weather was cold, and his kidneys usually acted freely and frequently. Bowels were sluggish, and feces scanty, but not hard: no diarrhoea occurred, even from wineglassful doses. No change in pulse. Occasionally sinking at epigastrium, with transient sense of general debility. Hard aching felt several times in both knees, as if rheumatism would come on. He would wake up in m. with nostrils and throat filled with thick yellow mucus, as if in second stage of catarrh (of which he had no other symptoms). Once woke early with severe irritation of l. eye, as if several sharp grains of sand were in it, with much heat and redness; after lasting several hours, symptoms disappeared as suddenly as they had come on. Once during evening, and twice in different n., sudden and violent attacks of hard and frequent coughing lasting 1-2 h., then ceasing without leaving trace of cold behind. On d. after ceasing use of drug, loose, but not very copious, bilious stools, and urine as abundant as in death.
2b. Later, another proving was made with 1 or 2 wineglassful doses, two pint bottles being taken in a week. Scanty discharge of urine recurred, but none of the other symptoms. “It is right to add” Dr. Peters says, “that during the first experiment I was very stout, and had recently recovered from fever and ague, which may account for the oppression of the chest and flatulence; I am also often subject to protracted attacks of constipation. (North Amer. Journ of Hom., iv, 529.) 3. M. L. KNAPP made infusion of powdered root, 15 gr. to cupful of warm water, and took 2 tablespoonfuls every 15 m. In 1/4 h. slight nausea; in 1/2 h. efforts to vomit; in 1 1/4 hours vomited slightly; pulse now 50, felt weak and sleepy, and went to bed. After sleeping about 1 h. woke with extreme sickness, followed by two spells of free vomiting; pulse between attacks 45, but no death-like sense of prostration. He felt stimulus of drug passing into intestines; had a gentle movement next m. without griping, and bowels were kept “soluble” for a day or two. Prover experienced also headache and bewilderment; had increased secretion of mucus and saliva in mouth and fauces, which kept him constantly spitting; his urine was augmented (ALLEN’s Encyclopedia, i, 426.) 4a. Dr. W T. HELMUTH took 3ss of tinct. of fresh root. Soon feeling of nausea, commencing at throat and extending to stomach, continuing nearly 1 h., without inclination to vomit, but with accumulation of saliva and constant hawking of thin fluid, after which throat felt dry. Fancy became exalted, with flow of good spirits and satisfaction with everyone; in 1 h. this gradually died away, leaving pain in forehead, particularly above superciliary ridges, heavy and drawing, with throbbing of ant. temporal artery; also great drowsiness, with drooping of eyelids, and at times rumbling with darting pain in hypogastrium. At noon, these symptoms having almost disappeared, took 3j, with same effects, but to increased degree, and also frequent and copious urination. On waking next m. severe bruised sensation in all limbs, especially the joints, and in small of back, almost disabling from motion: it disappeared, however, after walking. Bladder felt much distended, urine hot and turbid, depositing thick mucous sediment; after micturition, burning in urethra for 1/2 h. All day throbbing headache in vertex and forehead; vertigo when rising, but particularly when yawning or stretching; pain at times in left eye as if wearied, with drooping of lid; discharge of thin watery fluid from nose. Stool 4 or 5 times in day, soft and copious, with general feeling of relaxation. Urine copious throughout day, with same sediment as before mentioned, which was found to coagulate by heat. Tonsils and fauces for a day or two seemed coated with mucus, which had dried upon them.
4b. Dec. 15th, 10 p.m., took 1 dr. Slept as usual. 16th. -1 hour after breakfast same dose. Two h. after subsequent meals very distressing oppression at epigastrium, also sensation as of working in stomach, lasting about 2 h. Repeated dose at 9 p.m. 17th. -In m. before breakfast, 2 drops in water. About 10 m. later same distress at epigastrium, compelling walking about, which afforded some relief. Less effect produced by same dose in evening, taken 3 h. after a meal. 18th. -Took same dose after breakfast; less epigastric distress to-day. At 9 p.m. 5 dr. Soon after working in stomach, with empty eructations giving relief; also slight pinching pains from r. to l. 19th. -In m. and evening 5 dr., 2 h. after meals. Slight epigastric symptoms as before. 20th. -Same result from identical m. dose; in evening took 10 dr., after which rumbling, working and pinching were more marked, and there was sensation as of a ball being pressed into pylorus. Symptoms gradually disappeared during next 2 d. (Ibid., x, 308.) 5. Dr. LOUIS FAUST, et. 21; normal pulse 66; urine 30 oz., sp. gr. 1028; proved infusion of tops of fresh plant. July 20, took 3ss with no effect. 21st. -At 8:15 a.m.3 Soon after, slight and transient nausea. All 11:10 burning pain in stomach, with uneasiness; and shooting pain in right ear for 1 h. Urine for 24 h. 40 oz., 1020. At 4 p.m. 3iss.. 22nd. -Took none. Urine 36 oz., 1022. 23rd. -At 5 p.m.. Soon after singing partial deafness in left ear for 1 hours, with occasional sticking there. Urine 24 oz., 1025. 24th. -Restless all past n.; temporal headache all this day, with heaviness and pain in eyes, as from over-use, which there has not been. At 4:30 3iiss. Urine 30 oz., 1028. 25th. -Same heaviness over eyes. Has had ravenous hunger since commencing proving; gets hungry an hour before meal-time: bowels tend to be loose. At 7 p.m.3iij. 26th. -While at breakfast taken with violent pain in abdomen, continuing till he had a passage; stool very soft, painless; relief after it, but felt weak all m. Face pale, with cold perspiration; rumbling in abdomen. Urine 42 oz., 1024. No med. 27th. -Very restless n. Uneasy feeling in abdomen, but no tendency to stool. Urine 23 oz., 1026. 28th. – Great weakness in stomach; still bulimia; stool loose in m., but painless. Urine 24 oz., 1028. Uneasiness and weakness in stomach increased up to gnawing on 30th: he felt as if constantly threatened with cholera morbus. These feelings, with the bulimia, did not leave him till Aug. 2nd; though stools (and urine) were normal. On this d. took 3iiss, with effect only of slight and transient nausea, and peculiar sensation in chest, causing him to sigh constantly. (Ibid., p. 309.) 6a. Mr. BYRON E. MEAD, student, et. 24; pulse full, strong, 73; proved cold infusion of fresh root. June 19th. -Took, at 10 p.m., 3ss without result. 20th-At 7:30 a.m. 3j, before breakfast; at 8:30 3j more. About 1 hour after last dose felt sick, with inclination to vomit; also frontal headache, pains darting from temple to temple; at times vertigo, as if he would tumble over, coming quickly and passing away as suddenly; dull, unable to think well or concentrate thoughts. At 11 another 3j. Symptoms same, but more nausea.
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.