44. A lady was poisoned by her maid with fly-powder and white ars. Her symptoms were those of universal inflammation of the mucous membranes, and of the fundament and genitals, both of which became gangrenous, both during life and on P. M. inspection. (BACHMANN, quoted by Christison, p. 305. Dr. Imbert- Gourbeyre, in ch. ix of his treatise, cites other instances of gangrene produced by A. See also II, 65.)
45. Professors Groche and Mosler, of Greifswalde, in a case of acute arsenical poisoning of a child of 2, who died in 13 h., found steatosis in liver, kidneys, heart, and diaphragm. There was also great tumefaction of Peyer’s patches and solitary glands in ileum, and great redness and swelling of the mucous membrane of the large intestine; also considerable atelectasis of lungs, and a recent endocarditis enlargement of the aortic valves. (Virchow’s Archiv, 1865. Three years later, Dr. Roth observed similar steatosis of liver, reins, and heart in a man dying (3 1/2 d.) from same poison-Caspar’s Wochenschrift, 1868.)
46. Woman, et. 20-30, was admitted to St. Thomas’s Hospital at midnight, Jan. 17th; for about 2 hours she had nausea, faintness, great thirst, considerable pain and burning heat in epigastric region, heat and dryness of fauces, and constant desire to swallow saliva. After an antimonial emetic vomiting came on; pain increased; voice became very hoarse, and on admission pulse was 130, and small; stomach-pump was used, and emollients given in intervals of (hourly) vomiting. In m. no great change, save more tenderness of abdomen; breathing rather hurried; pulse 120, small. In e., prussic acid for vomiting. Next m. this was found relieved; tenderness of abdomen was more diffused, but less acute; breathing almost entirely carried on by diaphragm and thoracic muscles; could not take deep inspirations without pain; obscure crepitation at base of both lungs; pulse 130, contracted, and very small; tongue red and dry at tip and edges, all coated with a light fur; bowels open, stools fetid and dark; urine scanty. Blister to epigastrium. On 20th, pain, vomiting, and tenderness less urgent; pulse almost imperceptible; fluttering and irregular action of heart; tongue moister; less thirst; bowels open; breathing easier. 21st. -Towards n. extremities became cold; surface of body covered with clammy sweat; face livid, countenance anxious. Some irritation about urinary organs, and a good deal at anus. Action of heart became irregular, breathing difficult, pulse imperceptible; and she died next m. At P. M., 8 h. later, lungs were found heavy and dark; on section cut surface appeared bright red, glossy, and smooth; it resembled neither the granular appearance of pneumonic hepatisation nor the defined homogeneous structure of the clot in pulmonary apoplexy. It was probably the first stage of pneumonia, the appearance being produced by extensive engorgement or congestion of the pulmonary capillaries, no effusion having as yet taken place. (Lancet, 1839-40, i, 706. See also CHRISTISON, p. 281, 319.)
47. M. SAINT PHILIPPE publishes (Gaz. Medorrhinum de Bordeaux, 1878) two cases in which the internal administration of A. was followed by urethritis. The first was a man, et. 46, suffering from malarial fever, for which A. was prescribed. He had, however, taken but a small (gr..16) dose when he exhibited all the signs of poisoning. On following day he was attacked by urethritis. He positively affirmed that he had not been exposed for more than 2 months previously. The other patient was put upon A. for some skin-trouble, but owing to a mistake he took double the dose ordered, so that at the end of 8 d. he had taken 16 milligrammes. Symptoms of poisoning now showed themselves, and at the same time the commencement of a well-marked urethritis, which yielded to the usual treatment in 15 d. Here again exposure was denied for a long time previously; and, taking this case in conjunction with the foregoing, M. Saint Philippe was forced to admit an arsenical urethritis. (Lond. Medorrhinum Record, 1878, p. 214.)
48. A woman, et. 25, took A. in water. Death took place in 9 h., after excessive vomiting and some purging and cramps. At P. M., besides usual appearances, ovaries were found dark-coloured, and lining membrane of uterus and Fallopian tubes vascular; posterior part of lungs was engorged, giving out a frothy fluid on section; a purulent one issued from bronchial tubes, and lining membrane of these and of trachea was red. (Dublin Medorrhinum Press, xxiii 241. Christison mentions a case record in Pyl’s Aufs. u. Beob., i, 50, in which same appearance of uterus and Fallopian tubes was presented.)
49. A woman, et. 50, was severely attacked with vomiting and purging, after eating soup subsequently found to contain A. Next m. she was better, but had difficulty and pain in urinating; free discharge of blood from uterus during night; she says it is a return of the menses, which had ceased for 5 years; it resembles menstrual blood. During next 3 d. discharge continued, but in small quantities. Swelling in face and joints supervened. (Amer Journ. of Medorrhinum Sc., xv, 259)
50. A man suffering from pain and swelling of left parietal bone, ulceration of right cervical glands, and other signs of scrofula, took Fowler’s solution, 10 drs. twice a d. This made him feel sick, and caused vomitings, and made him feel uneasy and unwell all over. In 14 d. his legs began to be painful and to swell towards evening, so as to hang over his shoes. The dose was diminished to 7 drs. Legs dose was diminished to 7 drs. Legs continued to swell in evening, but were not so painful, and he was free from sickness. Dose was again increased to 10 drs., and continued for 7 weeks. Legs continued to swell. Medicine was now stopped, and patient went to seaside. While there, he was better save for swelling of legs, but on his return home general dropsy came on in the most rapid manner; legs and thighs were very much swollen; penis edematous and greatly enlarged, scrotum likewise; lower abdomen hard and swollen; pulse intermittent, and breathing beginning to be difficult. Kidneys acted naturally, and there was no loss of muscular strength. With tonics and digitalis he finally recovered. (ASTBURY, Edin. Medorrhinum and Surg. Journ., xv, 415.)
51. C. J. W-, et. 23, was treated for tubercular phthisis with 5 drops of Fowler’s solution 3 times a d., commencing Dec. 16th. On Jan. 8th, he was found “suffering from sore throat, and general edema extending even to his palate. His belly was the seat of obscure fluctuation, and the anasarca was so great in his legs as to oblige him to wear loose india-rubber shoes.” There was no disturbance of stomach or bowels, and general appearance was better rather than worse. Urine was 1026, acid, deposited urates on cooling, and proved albuminous when tested by heat and nitric acid. A few very pale tube-casts were found on microscopical examination. All disappeared on suspension of drug, but on its resumption a month later edema suddenly developed while taking 4-drop doses. “He was breathing uneasily, and singularly swollen.” Urine was as before (examined previously to second course of drug, it was quite free from albumen). Same results followed suspension and subsequent resumption of drug. (WEIR MITCHELL, N. Y. Medorrhinum Journ., i, 170.)
52. Woman, et. 42, subject of lepra vulgaris, took same for six weeks, in 5-10-drop doses, without effect. Then slight puffiness under eyes appeared; but, urine being normal and lepra about to yield, drug was continued. Soon after, she was found in bed, “the anasarca now so extensive as to alarm me. Her whole body was swollen, and even the palate was edematous, but she complained of no pain.” Pulse was 120; skin hot and dry; urine acid, 1023, containing albumen in small amount, and showing a few very pale tube-casts. I learned from the patient that she had taken cold after last calling upon me, and had fever, muscular pains, and nasal catarrh, during which dropsy suddenly increased. (Ibid.)
53 a. A young man was brought into hospital at 10 a.m. on June 9th, 1873. He had been seized 2 d. previously with vomiting, followed by purging. Both continued till now; face was drawn and livid, eyes not deeply sunk, lips violet and cold, as was also nose. Body, and especially thighs, showed large blue spots, and whole surface was cold. Tongue was icy, and covered with a thick bluish coat. Temp. was 35.2. Matter vomited was green; patient complained of inextinguishable thirst, but of no pain, tenderness or constriction of alimentary tract. Pulse imperceptible in radial and brachial arteries, but feebly felt in axillary. No urine had passed since vomiting first set in; catheter drew off a small quantity only, which on testing showed no albumen but some sugar. A hot mustard-bath, with ice and stimulants, was given. In evening vomiting and (green) diarrhea persisted; there was no urine; extreme anxiety had supervened; crampy pains were felt in muscles, especially of arms. Rectal temp. 38.6. During n. agitation; thirst and cramps increased; and patient died at 4 a.m.
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.