3. Panas experimented on rabbits. Crystallised Naphthalin was powdered and made into a paste with glycerine, and of this a 3 grm. dose was given daily by the mouth. Signs of malnutrition of the whole body rapidly appeared together with excretion by urine of crystals of carb. or sulph. of lime. A little later, and before the appearance of cataract, sparkling points appeared in the vitreous, and soon afterwards a number of strongly reflecting spots and plaques in retina. These were shown by microscope to be octahedric and acicular crystals of oxalate or sulphate of lime and spheroidal masses of carb. of lime. The papilla became oedematous and swollen. Then, later, opacities appeared in lens, at first fine radiating striae between nucleus and cortex, more marked in posterior layer, and passing rapidly on to opacity of entire lens which remained soft and enlarged, pushing forward the iris, and of a yellowish or brownish tint. Dissection was made at different stages. The retina showed first localised points or patches of oedema, associated with a slight detachment of the hyaloid and an exudation between the two; then serous infiltration of the retina and separation from the hexagonal epithelium, and sulph. of lime in its layers. Later the hyaloid became completely detached from the retina, the two being separated by an albuminous fluid. Later still the completely detached retina, freely infiltrated with calcareous granules, became disorganised, and the choroid atrophied as in dislocative choroido – retinitis. The papilla showed oedema, then inflammatory proliferation with a free passage of leucocytes into vitreous. The lens showed first an accumulation of transparent fluid at the posterior pole, and the formation of vacuoles separating the fibres of the pen – nuclear zone; at a later stage the fluid appeared to penetrate into the nucleus itself, the fibres being disorganised, the capsular epithelium disturbed, the entire lens swollen, its anterior portion stained with iris – pigment, finally, crystals of sulph. of lime were to be found in its substance, and in some cases the posterior capsule was ruptured. The vitreous becomes detached from the retina first at its posterior pole. Crystals of sulph. of lime surrounded by leucocytes were found in the external layers, these increase in quantity and the whole vitreous becomes more fluid, especially at its centre. The aqueous humour contains albumen from the first appearance of the cataract, and the albumen increases in quantity with the increasing opacity of the lens. Precipitated albumen was found in aqueous chambers. Iris and ciliary processes remain normal. (Archives d’Opthalmologie, 1887, 113.)
NATRUM NITROSUM [NAT-NS].
Introduction
Sodium nitrite, NaNO2.
Poisonings
1. Dr. Hay finds that sodium nitrite, in a dose of 5, 10, or 20 gr., accelerates the pulse and causes throbbing and sense of fulness in head and eyes, with slight flushing of face. The sensations of throbbing and fulness last an hours or more, – the longer the larger the dose. (Pract., March 1883.)2. a. To 18 adults – 14 men and 4 women – we ordered 10 gr. of the crude nitrite in Zj of water, and of these 17 came back, protesting loudly that they were unable to take it. One man, a burly strong fellow, suffering from a little rheumatism only, said that after taking the first dose he felt giddy, as if he would ” go off insensible.” His lips, face, and hands turned blue, and he had to lie down for 1 1/2 hours before he dared move. His heart fluttered, and he suffered from throbbing pains in the head. Another patient had to sit down for an hours after the dose, and said it ” took all his strength away.” Another said that in about 1/2 hours after taking the first dose his heart came on beating very fast, and he throbbed all over. He felt very sick, but did not actually vomit. The women appeared to have suffered more than the men. One said that 10 m. after taking the first dose – she did not try a second – she felt a trembling sensation all over her, and suddenly fell on the floor. Whilst lying there she perspired freely; her face and head seemed swollen, and throbbed violently, until she thought they would burst; she felt sick, but did not actually vomit; this lasted about 3 h. Another woman said she thought she would have died after taking a dose; it threw her into a violent perspiration, and in less than 10 m. her lips turned quite black, and throbbed for hours; it upset her so much that she feared she would never get over it. The only one of the 14 men who made no complaint after taking 10 gr. was powerfully affected by 15. He suffered from violent nausea, and his head, he said, felt as if it would split in two. 2 b. To 16 patients – 13 men and 4 women – we ordered the nitrite in 5 gr. doses, and none of the women and only half of the men were able to go on with it. The symptoms complained of were those experienced with the large dose – faintness, nervousness, and pain in head. Nausea with eructation was of frequent occurrence, and in one or two cases there was actual vomiting. A young woman of 24 said she felt the effects of the medicine in about 10 m., and had to lie down. She felt sick, and then vomited, the vomiting lasting off and on for 2 h. She had to keep her bed the whole day, and was so weak and ill that she thought she was dying. Another said the medicine upset her so much that she went off in hysterics, and could not hold a limb still; she lost all the colour from her face, becoming deadly pale, and had a terrible headache, which was worse when she moved, especially on going upstairs.
2 c. To 13 patients – all men this time – we ordered the drug in 3 gr. doses, and in only 4 cases was any complaint made. These patients, however, suffered from the usual symptoms. One said ” the medicine kept rising so, that he could not keep it down.” Another complained that it ” turned his lips blue, gave him a headache, and made him feel giddy; ” whilst the other two suffered chiefly from pains across the forehead.
2 d. Several observers have met with unpleasant symptoms as the result of the administration of nitrite of sodium. Dr. Ramskill mentions a young lady who, after taking 15 gr., fell down with livid lips and staring eyes in a most alarming condition. Dr. Ralfe prescribed 12 gr. doses to 3 patients; all returned in a few hours with blue lips, in a state of semi – collapse, evidently produced by the drug. (Ringer and Murrell, Lancet, Nov., 1883.).
Experiments on animals
1. A black cat, weighing 5 1/2 lb., was injected under the skin of the back with 4 c. c. of a 10 per cent. aqueous sol. In 14 m. the animal was panting, resp. being 148 – 160, and superficial. The tongue was protruded, and of a dark colour. The pupils were widely dilated, and there was great muscular weakness. These symptoms increased in severity, urine and faeces were passed, there was slight opisthotonos, and in 20 m. after injection the animal was dead. At the autopsy, which was made immediately, it was found that the muscles were unusually light in colour, and that their contractility, as tested by the interrupted current, was quickly lost; in fact, in 20 m. it was quite gone. On opening chest and cutting aorta, blood was found to be very dark, almost like treacle. Lungs had a dark chocolate tint and were speckled. L. ventricle of heart was contracted, whilst right was dilated, and no contractions could be obtained in either auricles or ventricles, even with the strongest current. On opening abdomen dark colour of liver at once attracted attention; and further examination showed that stomach, intestines and bladder were firmly contracted. (Ibid.)NATRUM PHOSPHORICUM [NAT-P].
Introduction
Sodium phosphate, Na2HPO4.12H2O.I. 1. E. L. Corson took 20 gr. After 4 hours, slight dizziness, and passage of a yellowish – brown watery stool, containing faecal lumps, another similar stool at 6 hours, another, more profuse, at 10 1/2 hours; before each weak feeling in rectum and sphincter, had to use great effort of will to prevent untimely evacuation. 2nd day, 6:30 p. m., sudden urging to stool, which was copious, painless, and easy, – first part fluid, second containing faecal lumps. 3rd day, two gumboils. Later, took 2 gr.; nothing noticed but fulness of head towards e. Next day took 6 gr. once, and 2 gr. 5 times; soon after first dose, fulness and heaviness in head, and slight dizziness, while studying; sudden urging to stool at 6:30 p. m., difficult to retain faeces, stool was mushy, yellow – brown, with flatus and momentary colic. On 3rd day, no stool; on 4th, desire for stool at 9 a. m., but only passed with difficulty two small lumps; normal stool this evening and next. Through m. of 5th day, at times while studying, fulness and dull aching in forehead. On 6th day took 4x dil. at short intervals; fulness at root of nose and in ears, evening 7th day (also on 10th), soreness in hypogastrium after urinating, evening; better lying on back, worse on belly; after rising, bowels loose, rumbling in abdomen; after breakfast a small dry difficult dark brown stool, requiring much straining (same next d.). From 6th to 9th day, four nocturnal emissions. 11th day, bladder seems incapable of properly expelling contents, flow soon stops, and straining is required, each effort resulting in a small spurt of urine; sharp pain in right temple, several times; colic pains in lower abdomen, with desire for stool; much flatus before stool, in evening, while walking after supper. 12th day, slight burning in eyes, producing slight lachrymation, and exciting rubbing of eyes. 13th day, slight colicky pains while walking after supper. On 14th day, took 6x dil. every 15 m. Very flatulent during day; urine greatly increased and pale p. m.: in evening momentary colicky pains, with discharge of flatus; on retiring, pain over each eye, worse when closing eyes. 15th day, urine very copious after rising in m. 16th day, fatigue on slight exertion. 17th day, urine scanty and dark. 18th day, sharp cutting in hypochondria and left iliac region. (Allen’s Encyclopaedia, vi, 601.)
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.