Arum maculatum


Proving Symptoms of homeopathy medicine Arum Maculatum, described by Richard Hughes in his book, A Cyclopedia of Drug Pathogenesis, published in 1895….


Introduction

Arum maculatum.

Provings

1. HERING. (No information about doses, but stated (Guiding Symptoms, sub voce) to have been made on three provers, “very good observers.”) Blood from gums when kissing, immediately. Difficult deglutition as though the soft palate came “down.” Very monosyllabic, sleepy after dinner, so that he closes his eyes. Oppression in abdomen as in great anxiety and fear, without palpitation of heart; rises up afterwards into chest, so that (with hot respirations) he feels an oppression all over chest; it then rises into throat, just like a pressure from without inwards, in palate behind over larynx, provoking deglutition, but rendering it difficult; afterwards it feels too narrow. Violent painful pressure on a spot in abdomen betwixt navel and top of hip, especially when standing, when lying on side or back, most when he makes the chest very full or stretches the abdominal muscles; external pressure is painful also. Pressure in throat which provokes swallowing, but it feels too narrow, renders swallowing difficult as if something were swollen on the left side above the larynx. Slight pressure in left temple. Pressure under ears behind jaw. When he presses with the finger on left side of throat near the trachea below the larynx it is painful. In m. after a meal, emptiness of abdomen as from vomiting. Drowsiness, scarcely repressible, especially 1 h. after dinner, falls asleep with red face. General great exhaustion. Urine watery, clear, smells of burnt horn; after standing a cloud in the middle. (Archiv, xiii, i, 169.).

Poisonings

1 a. A. maculatum contains numerous raphidian cells. After chewing a young stalk for a few seconds, a very intense pricking stinging pain was felt upon the tongue and mucous membrane of the lips and throat, accompanied with a flow of saliva which seemed to relieve the pain a little; the pains were as if 100 little needles had been run into the tongue and lips. A friend, who followed my example, had, in addition to these symptoms, constriction and burning in the pharynx, his tongue was swollen, and its papilla injected and raised. The mucous membrane of the lips and throat appeared inflamed; the pains on tongue and lips were increased by pressure with the teeth.

1 b. In 2 or 3 cases the leaves have been eaten by children, and have produced very distressing effects. In one instance 3 children partook of them; their tongue, became swollen, so as to render swallowing difficult, and convulsions followed; 1 died in 12 and another in 16 d.; the third recovered. (British Poisonous Plants, by C. and P. JOHNSON, p. 46.)

2. Edward V-, aet. 43, labouring man, suffering from tapeworm, to cure himself picked a leaf of A. maculatum and chewed up the stalk and swallowed it. He immediately experienced burning hot pricking sensation in tongue, throat, and oesophagus, and intense pain at epigastrium. Tongue became immensely swollen, and saliva ran out of his mouth “like water.” About a m. after he vomited and brought up stalk again. Felt somewhat easier after this, but burning-hot pricking sensation and swollen state of tongue continued for a day or so. Appetite did not return for some little time. Patient recovered without medical assistance, but says he will never try to “doctor” himself again. (STEELE. Lancet, 1872, ii, 530.).

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.