Reporter considers that symptoms were at first somewhat confused with those of the opium, but from 5 p.m. were due solely to the A. (Dr. J. G. BLACKLEY, Monthly Hom. Rev. xvii, 481).
4. Woman, aet. 30, swallowed with suicidal intent a spirituous solution of A. = 1 1/2 gr. of the sulphate. After 1/2 h. she experienced nausea and dimness of sight; was unable to feel arms and legs, and being alarmed called for help. After 1 h. pulse 150, small and weak; face flushed; conjunctiva vividly injected; only a circular line of iris visible; was nearly blind, a thick cloud obstructed vision, and weak; face flushed; with a reddish tinge; there was tendency to sleep, chilliness, cramp and tingling of extremities. After 2 1/2 h. vomiting readily induced by drinking warm fluids. After 4 1/2 h. violent delirium and restlessness; tenesmus, and frequent desire to pass urine. After 10 h. pulse 110; patient had become calm, but could not sleep although inclined. During next 12 hours she obtained but little sleep; she was able, however, to rise in m., when pulse was frequent small and irregular and she complained of lassitude; pupils still widely dilated and vision confused; recovery was now rapid. (ROUX, Journ. de Chim. Medorrhinum, 1860, p. 529). 5. An adult male took about gr. ij of sulphate in solution before breakfast. After 1 h. pulse very quick and of good volume; pupils completely dilated, eyes restless; was generally restless and unmanageable, refusing to answer, to swallow, or to be examined, appeared profoundly intoxicated. After 2 h. pulse very weak; hands cold; dragged legs when compelled to walk; was kept in forced exercise from 2nd to 6th h. After 8 h. insomnia incoherent quarrelling, loss of memory, partial paralysis of arms and legs. Continued wakeful and delirious during next 4 h., and passed very little urine. Throughout succeeding n. hearing and sight were morbidly sensitive. After 48 h., pulse 108; tongue dry and furred, skin hot; was quite rational and nearly recovered. Catheterism was required during next 4 d. (LEACH, Medorrhinum Times and Gaz., 1865, ii 34.)
6. LUSSANA gives following as result of observations on patients, chiefly epileptic and neuralgic. The physiological effects of A., when taken continuously, and in increasing doses, are as follows:
6 a. Dilatation and immobility of the pupil. The dilatation is most marked at the beginning (14 to 20 m. after swallowing a dose of 1/27 or 1/30 of a gr.) and at the end of the experiment. At the height of the intoxication the pupil is quite immovable, and has nearly its normal diameter. The return of a slight motion of the iris is the first sign that the effects of the remedy are diminishing. Dilatation of the pupils often continues for eight days after the cessation of the other symptoms.
6 b. Disturbance of the sight.- Objects appear as if enveloped in a fog. As the dose is increased the obscurity increases even to perfect blindness. On omitting the remedy, these symptoms diminish with great rapidity and disappear entirely in one or two days.
6 c. Somnolence and confusion of ideas. First merely sluggishness of the mind, then dizziness, and a condition resembling commencing intoxication. Headache occurred in but one case.
6 d. Hallucinations of the sense of hearing.- Not frequent, consisting of various sounds, roaring & c.
6 e. Hallucinations of the sight. – While the obscurity of objects is increasing, various phantoms are observed, gigantic forms, and sometimes laughable, sometimes terrifying appearances; also quick rotation and duplication of objects.
6 f. Anaesthesia Cessation of pains especially of spasmodic neuralgia; diminished sensibility for painful physical impressions. The sense of touch alone appears to be but little affected.
g. Dryness of the mouth and fauces always occurs in a few days. At first it is only a subjective symptom, but later it can be observed objectively, depending upon a diminution of the salivary secretion, but never connected with gastro-enteric irrigation, a symptom which was never observed.
6 h. Loss of appetite; present in all cases, changing to great voracity at the end of the experiment. There is no thirst notwithstanding the dryness observed.
6 i. Difficulty of utterance present at the height of the intoxication.
6 j. Delirium, often followed by, or alternating with, stupor, always occurs after larger doses (1/10 to 1/4 a gr.), is generally of a petulant, cheerful character, and disappears slowly.
6 k. Dysphagia is never absent if the use of the drug is persevered in, and keeps pace with the dryness of the fauces.
6 l. Redness of the skin was only observed in one person having a delicate white skin. The redness appeared so constantly in this case, from 1/2 an h. to an h. after each dose, that is was undoubtedly caused by the medicine.
6 m. Torpor and paralytic trembling.- The limbs, especially the lower ones, gradually became weak, and the gait unsteady; finally the subject was obliged to lie down. Slight convulsive trembling of some of the muscles may be observed, but never spasm, painful retraction or spasmodic rigidity. With the loss of consciousness the motions become entirely automatic. When the medicine has been given in gradually increasing doses there is subsultus; when a single large dose has been given convulsions occur.
6 n. Paralysis of the sphincters of the bladder and rectum.- This is the highest step, beyond which it is not safe to push the physiological experiment. In two patients, who took the dose of 1 and 1 1/2 grs., there were involuntary faecal discharges. Another patient took a still larger dose, followed by incontinence of urine and involuntary discharges. (Annal. Univers. di Med, 1852.)
7. GRANDI administered A. to epileptic patients, in doses gradually increased from gr. 1/16 to gr.; j. The following phenomena were observed: –
7 a. Dryness of mouth and fauces. This phenomenon appears at first to be purely nervous but subsequently the parts become really dry, and then there is diminution of the salivary secretion.
7 b. Dysphagia.- Difficulty of deglutition immediately follows dryness of the mouth. The patient cannot swallow, except after long efforts of the muscles of the neck and pharynx.
7 c. Embarrassed utterance from quasi paralysis of the tongue – After many days’ action of the A. There manifested itself a slowness and embarrassment of articulation of words, as MM. Bouchardat and Stuart have noted among the principal effects of the solanae. 7 d. Dilatation and subsequent immobility of the pupil.- Mydriasis is one of the earliest and most constant effects of A. It is also the last to disappear, being more or less evident for eight days after the suspension of the malady.
7 e. Obscurity of vision.- Objects appear at first enveloped in a white vapour; the contours are no longer distinct. The patient is unable to read, to sew. If the dose is increased, almost complete blindness may ensue.
7 f. Torpor and paralytic tremblings.- In proportion as the doses of A. augment, the limbs, and especially the lower, though still under the influence of the will, become heavy and inactive. If the dose be increased, sensation is lost and the movements of the muscles are automatic and convulsive.
7 g. Intellectual confusion.- At first a slowness of intelligence, ideas and replies are imperfect and indifferent. Then comes vertigo, and confusion as of drunkenness.
7 h. Hallucinations of hearing and sight.- Perceptions of noise, tinkling sound as of bells; distorted countenances of bystanders, extraordinary and gigantic phantoms; the buzzing of insects of black colour, & c.
7 i. Delirium or stupor.- Upon every occasion when a larger dose than proper of A. is taken, there comes delirium followed by stupor. The delirium may be of a lively or loquacious character, with forgetfulness of all surrounding objects, with transport and imagination of distant objects, with incoherent actions, movements, and discourse. (Medorrhinum Times and Gaz. Jan. 6th, 1855)
8. MICHEA. Since 1855, I have had occasion to employ A., or its most important salts in the treatment of 42 persons of different age and sex. Almost all these individuals had been, for a longer or shorter time, affected with epilepsy, which was either simple or complicated with aberration of mind. The A., which was almost always employed inwardly, I gave in doses of from half a milligramme (gr. 1/130) to a centigramme (gr. 1/6) in 24 h. The latter dose was only tried in a very few cases.
The following are the most important physiological phenomena which I observed: –
8 a. All the subjects of experiment, without exception, complained on the second or third day after taking the A., even in the smallest doses (as gr. 1/68 to 1/130), of unpleasant dryness of mouth, lips tongue, palate, and throat. This dryness which was seldom accompanied by actual thirst, and instantly disappeared on moistening the mouth with a gulp of liquid, seemed to be brought on sometimes by simple diminution of the secretion in the mucous lining of the mouth, palate, and throat; sometimes by diminished action of the salivary glands.
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.