The train of symptoms just narrated continued for 3 day, growing less all the time; always better p. m., and worse at n. I then discontinued the proving [Prover must have continued the drug later than as appears; for he speaks of having taken about 3ss of the tinct. and only 16 dr. are specified. – EDS.] (U. S.Medorrhinum and Surg. Journ., vii, 295.)
2. A. M. M.DODGE, aet 29, well, save for rheumatic pains in left shoulder, which he has had for two months. Jan. 5th, 1872, at 6:40 p. m., took 4 dr. of 1x dil. In 15 m. increase of pulse – rate to 88 per m. (normal beat being 72); wavy, tremulous sensations over radial artery, pulse slightly intermittent every 3rd beat; sense of fulness in neck and head. 8:30, pulse 62, feels tired, wants to lie down; every now and then takes a long breath; feels sad, downhearted, and much oppressed; peculiar inability to fix mind upon any one thing. Sleep during n. disturbed by all sorts of dreams (very uncommon). 6th. – 7:30 a. m., 6 dr. 8, pulse 72, wavy, tremulous easily compressed, intermits every third beat; heat and fulness in neck and head; feeling of nervous excitement in whole system, mind very clear and active. 10, pulse 63; feeling of inability to move even a finger; dry condition of throat and larynx, with hawking up of thin stringy mucus, which continued a very little while until 1 p. m., when he took lunch with little appetite. 1:40 8 dr. 2, fulness of thorax, heat and fullness of head and neck, flushed feeling of face. Pulse 98, wavy, tremulous, slightly intermitting every 4th or 5th beat. Hands and feet feel cool; slight frontal headache; mind very 4th or 5th beat. Hands and feet feel cool; slight frontal headache; mind very clear, can remember anything he wishes. 3:30, pulse 70; feels weak, as though he had been working hard. 4:10, inability to fix mind on any subject for any length of time; throat dry, as though full of dust; constant hawking up of thin, viscid, stringy mucus, which was very troublesome, and continued until supper at 7 p. m. after which he felt no more of it. 7th. – 6:30 a. m. 20 dr. IN 1/2 hour pulse 100, with peculiar double beats which seemed to run into each other, full but easily compressed. Heart reveals no abnormal sounds upon auscultation. Choking sensation in throat, with fulness and hat; slight frontal headache; memory very clear and active. At this time there was some slight pain under the sternum at articulation of 3rd rib, which lasted about 3 m. 8:50, felt perfectly well; pulse 67, except when making ever so slight exertion, which brings on some palpitation (never had this before)). 9:20 dryness of mouth and fauces; hawking up of stringy, viscid, white mucus, which is very persistent. 11, feeling of lameness and soreness throughout whole body, as though he had taken cold. 8th. – 8:35 a. m., 15 dr. 9, pulse 90, undulating, tremulous; resp., normally 19, is 23. Exercise brings on a kind of a trembling of muscles of lower extremities. 9:15, pulse 83; no abnormal sounds of heart on auscultation; mind clear; feeling in eyes as of being forced outwards; skin cool and moist; slight pain over region of heart. 11, pulse 65; feeling of fulness and oppression over right hypochondrium. 12:30, loss of strength; wish to lie down; dizziness of back part of head or feeling as if occiput was turning round. 1, passed, within 10 m. of each other, three very light clay – coloured stools; pain over region of liver; appetite much diminished. 9th. – 7:40 a. m., 20 dr. In 1/2 hours pulse 90; each slight exertion causes some palpitation and dizziness; sense of choking in throat. 9, feeling generally ill, cannot remain in lecture – room; pulse 70, intermittent, irregular, thin, and wiry. Heat of room seemed to make him sick; felt better in open air. Tickling sensation in throat, with expectoration of stringy mucus. 12 m., bowels felt tender and oppressed; passed thin, clay – coloured stool. 1:20, appetite very much diminished; sensation in stomach and bowels as if food did not digest well; l sour eructations for some time after eating (quite unusual). 4, another clay – coloured stool large (bowels usually quite regular, acting once daily). 7, on running rapidly across street, palpitation for 5 m.; but pulse did not seem increased 9, very nervous. Took no more medicine till 20th, and bowels became regular from 11th onwards. 2 b. 20th. – Took 5 dr. of tinct. at 2:30 p. m. 3, pulse 77, irregular, full, intermitting every 3rd – 6th beat. Auscultation reveals no abnormal sound; but there seems to be great excitement of the muscular contraction s at intervals of 3 or 4 beats, after which there is a longer pause than usual. Every little exertion increases the irregularity; slight dizziness in upright position, much increased on stooping; choking sensation just above thyroid cartilage; throat feels full, as if tonsils were enlarged. 4, pulse 62, regular, full, but easily compressed. Dry tickling sensation in fauces, with hawking up of stringy mucus every few minutes extremely troublesome, till 7 (this relieved by eating). 5, weak, nervous, and very irritable; great desire for some kind of stimulant; mind very dull, does not remember for a minute what is said in lecture – room, unless an effort is made to focus mind upon it. 21st. – 10:30 a. m., 7 dr. Walked to church, and felt no effect from drug till he entered building, when there came on tingling and numbness, commencing in fingers of left hand, and gradually extending up arm. 11, pulse 80, very tremulous and irregular, pulsations seeming to run into each other; now dull heavy aching in left arm, which continued till noon, when pulse was 72 and regular. 4 p. m., tenderness over right hypochondrium. 4:15, passage of large clay – coloured stool. 22nd. – Very much disturbed during n. by ludicrous dreams; was restless, continually turning in bed. Took 17 dr. at 6:30 a. m. IN 1/2 hour had to lie down on account of peculiar trembling, sensation throughout body, especially lower extremities; much pain over base of heart; pain in right side of head; pulse 90; pain, dull and heavy, in left arm, commencing with tingling and numbness in tips of fingers. Mind very clear; things long forgotten present themselves with peculiar distinctness. 9, could scarcely walk to college on account of palpitation, felt all over chest; after remaining quiet for 10 m. it gradually subsided, but would appear again upon any slight exertion. Sounds of heart were found on auscultation considerable increased, especially over semilunar valves. 11, pulse 85, irregular and intermittent; dry throat, with sensation as of describable sensations under sternum, at articulation of 3rd rib; appetite much diminished, feeling of weak knees. 3 p. m., fulness and distension of bowels; tenderness over right hypochondrium; mental faculties dull; slight exertion caused vertigo; slight nausea. 5, heart still very susceptible to slight exciting causes. 7, passage of two thin clay coloured stools in rapid succession. Felt as though he had been sick for a long time and was just recovering.
2 c. During next 5 day took 6th and 10th dils. without effect. (Ibid.)
3. Miss H. E. MAGEE, student, took 6th dil for 5 day without eliciting any symptoms. She then took the 4th dil. for 3 days, during which she had a severe attack of headache, watery eyes, stuffed nose, cough with soreness in chest, fever with chilliness, puffed face, &c.; but as influenza was epidemic at the time, she doubted if it was caused by the drug. After waiting 5 day she began taking the 3rd dil., and had on same day at 3 p. m. dull headache, vertigo, sleepiness, fever with chilliness, frequent but scanty urination. On 2nd day, m., dizziness so that she could not sit; had to return to bed. On 2nd day, m., dizziness so that she could not sit; had to return to bed. On 3rd day, evening, frightened mood; feared she had taken too much of the drug; had cold sweat on face and hands; trembles; dull frontal headache. 4th day – Heavy sleep in morning; got up feeling weak; loss of appetite; weariness. After waiting 5 day, took 2nd dil. 1st day – 5 p. m., vertigo with headache; pulse rapid; heart beats fast, and she feels excited. 2nd day – Sharp pain in head, with vertigo; feels frightened, as though she had taken a dangerous dose; urine excessive in quantity; throbbing pain through temples (p. m.); hands, feet, and face cold and sweaty; sleeplessness. 3rd day – Looks ill, and feels weak and bad every way. She declined to continue the proving longer. ( Ibid.). 4. Dr. SYLVESTER relates a series of cases in which he had another had prescribed left with excellent results, especially in cardiac hypertrophy; where it “does not diminish the velocity of the heart’s action like digitalis, but controls its violence and sharp action, softening the pulse.” No ill effects followed its use, save that if “occasionally induced giddiness, sickness, or diarrhoea; but these subsided on discontinuing its use.” Doses were gr. i – iij. (Provinc. Medorrhinum and Surg. Journ., July 28th, 1847.)
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.