Introduction
Baptisia tinctoria, R. Br. Wild indigo. Nat Ord. Leguminosae.
Provings
1. J. S. DOUGLASS, M. D., aet. 55, good health, nervous-sanguine temp. On Feb. 5th, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., took 1 dr. of tinct. without perceptible effect. At bedtime 2 dr. Slept 2 or 3 h., and then woke from a troublesome dream with difficult breathing, a sort of nightmare; felt on waking as if room were insufferably hot and close, hindering respiration. Feeling of greatly increased compass and frequency of heart’s pulsations, which seemed to fill the chest; pulse, normally about 70, he judged to be 90 or over, full and soft. There was most uncomfortable burning heat of whole surface, especially of face; tongue was dry on rubbing against roof of mouth, smarted and felt sore as if burnt. The heat compelled him to move to a cool part of bed, and finally to rise and open a window, and bathe the face and hands. With these symptoms was a peculiar feeling of head, never experienced save during presence of fever-a sort of excitement of brain which is the beginning of delirium, this never failing to occur with him when fever continues and reaches any height. After 1 h. these symptoms abated, and he went to sleep, and slept soundly till late in m. On waking tongue was dry, with same burnt feeling; and there was a little dulness in head. Appetite for breakfast good. At 9 a.m. took 1 dr. Same feeling of tongue continued slightly through d., with hot and perceptibly flushed face, and slight confusion of brain. Slept soundly that n. On 7th, no symptoms save slight dryness of tongue. Took 2 dr., and shortly after drank coffee with breakfast, which seemed to neutralize effect. Before bedtime 2 dr. Slept 2-3 h., and dreamed of labouring hard in deep snow, suffering with heat from exertion, and finally being smothered in the snow. Awoke with great difficulty of breathing, lungs felt tight and compressed, could not get a full breath, felt obliged to open window to get face to fresh air; same burning heat of surface, dry tongue, increased and quickened pulsations of heart, and peculiar feeling of brain, as on first n. An h. passed before he could breathe easily and felt comfortably cool. Slept well remainder of n., after having for short time slight febrile chilly horripilations over lower limbs and back. On 8th. in m., slight dulness, heat of face, and dry tongue; appetite good. Head, face, and tongue continued thus all day; at n. slept profoundly. On 9th, no symptoms save bloated feeling of eyes and sense of having slept too long and hard. At 11:30 a.m., 2 dr.; very soon slight chilliness in lower limbs and back, brain a little stimulated. At 1, feeling dull, especially in occiput, where there was slight pain and fulness, lay down and slept an h.; waking from a slight sort of nightmare, with moderate tightness of chest and correspondingly difficult breathing, which was soon over. At 3 p.m., 2 dr., soon after dinner; no effect. At bedtime 2 dr. Again waking (with some difficulty) from nightmare after about 2 h., anxiety continuing for some time after waking. Burning heat and evident feeling of pulsation in feet for 1/2 h., after which he went to sleep and slept soundly. [ “I omitted to mention in its place, that each time after waking from the nightmare the parts on which I lay soon became exceedingly painful, especially the sacral region and hips. After lying for not more than 10 m. upon the back, the sacral region became intolerably painful, as though I had lain on the barn floor all night, and inducing the conviction that a short continuance of the position would induce bedsores. When turning on one or other side, the same sensation would be produced on the hips, obliging me at last to turn on my face to relieve these parts. In regard to the nightmare, it is proper to say that I was formerly considerably subject to it, but for many years have never had it, except when sleeping on my back, or perhaps very rarely when on my left side. In all instances recorded I was sleeping in my usual position, on my right side.”] On 10th, at 2:30 p.m., 3 dr. Within few m., heat of face, soon followed by same febrile excitement of brain in a greater degree; disposition to talk, external vessels of head and face more dull; head felt large and eyes were shining. With these symptoms there was intolerance of pressure on any part; could not rest back against chair without having pain from pressure, was obliged to change sitting posture every few m. from same cause, even feet became painful from resting on floor. Hands felt large and were tremulous, with peculiar thrilling sensation through both hands and feet, somewhat like “going to sleep;” saliva rather abundant, somewhat viscid and flat-tasting; “gone” empty feeling in stomach. These sensations were soon followed by dull pain of sacrum, compounded of soreness as from pressure and fatigue as from long stooping, soon extending round hips and down right leg. Dined at 3:30 with tolerable appetite, read for 1 h., and then lay down, but experienced difficulty of breathing, which in about 1/2 h. became so great that he was obliged to rise, feeling that if he went to sleep he would immediately have nightmare and suffocation. This dyspnoea was not so much constrictive as paretic, such as he had only felt during a fever. Walking out in e., legs felt weak and vacillating; after returning, rather painful weariness of back and legs (especially r.), and of r. shoulder and arm; also constant want to take a full breath. Went to bed feeling utterly exhausted. Next day rather weak and indisposed to think; heat of face; during e. uneasy, restless, could confine himself to nothing, wanted to be moving from place to place, unhappy; mind seemed weak, rather confused. Felt compelled to retire as early as 9, and slept soundly till 7:30 next m. On 12th felt weak and tremulous, as though recovering from illness and as yet incapable of making any vigorous mental or physical exertion. Felt stronger on walking in open air, which, however, produced continual and profuse lachrymation. Has been constipated from beginning of proving until now, when bowels have resumed their usual condition. Symptoms gradually subsided during next 3 d. (N. Amer. Journ. of Hom., vi, 228.)
2. Dr. S. R. BECKWITH took unknown quantity, and reports as effects:- Slight nausea, with increased heat; slight dizziness and languor; muscular debility; inactive mind; restless feeling, without disposition to move; burning sensation over whole body, followed by perspiration, vomiting and diarrhoea, stools dark; debility; loss of appetite; slow, round, full pulse; filthy taste with flow of saliva; constriction and oppression of chest; drowsy, stupid, tired feeling; aching in limbs; pain in back extending to sacrum. (Ibid.)
3. Dr. P. B. HOYT also gives no information as to doses taken, and reports his symptoms as follows in the order of the schema:-Vertigo; dull pain in front of head; sharp pain over right eye, then over left; dull pain in both temples, growing more and more intense; dull stupid feeling all over head, with severe pain at occiput; head feels heavy, as though he could not sit up; headache day and night, causing sensation of wildness and increased by noise; cannot confine mind, a sort of wild wandering feeling. Soreness of eyeballs; eyes feel swollen, with burning and slight lachrymation; congestion of vessels of eyes, which look red and inflamed. Dulness of hearing. Catarrh, dull pain at root of nose. Face feels flushed and very hot, cheeks burn. Profuse flow of sweetish-bitter saliva, followed by a glutinous substance; lips stick together; tongue coated at first white, with reddish papilla here and there, followed by a yellowish- brown coating in centre, edges being red and shining; tongue feels thick and swollen; numb pricking sensation of tongue; bad taste in mouth. Throat feels swollen and full, with oppressed respiration, and sharp pains in chest on taking a long breath. Slight nausea and want of appetite; constant desire for water. Constipation; fulness of abdomen; flatulence; pain in hypogastrium; soreness of abdominal muscles, as if from cold or coughing violently. Urine not very copious; of dark red colour; a sort of burning when urinating. Extremities feel hot, except feet, which are cold; stiffness of all joints, as if strained. Surface of whole body feels hot and dry, with occasional chill, principally up and down back, as if ague were coming on; chill all day, with fever at n., and rheumatic pains and soreness all over body; pulse at first accelerated, afterwards very low and faint. Restless, does not sleep quietly, wants and yet does not want to get up; dreams about fighting and disputations, but always comes off best. All symptoms increased by taking a glass of beer; many continued 4 or 5 d. (Ibid.)
4. W. ROWLEY, aet. 20; dosage also unknown. After 3rd dose headache, first in front, afterwards behind; feeling of great prostration; flashes of heat from small of back in all directions; nausea. On 3rd day severe headache in front; low spirits, prostration; pain in stomach and hypochondrium, passing down to right iliac region; drowsiness, disposition to have eyes closed; pulse slow and weak. (Ibid.)
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.