A repetition of the experiment, performed with the utmost lightness of touch, resulted in same conjunctivitis and lachrymation, but minus the optical phenomenon. (N. Irving Thayer, Amer. Hom., June, 1890.)
PILOCARPINUM (see vol.iii, p.34)
II. 5. Upon one occasion I took 1 gr. of the nitrate by the mouth. In 15 m. there was flushing of face with suffusion of eyes; this was soon followed by flow of mucus from the nose, resembling very much that of an ordinary coryza, increase of salivary secretion, and profuse perspiration. These effects continued to increase for an hours, when they reached their height; dimness of vision now occurred, lasting 1/2 hours; perspiration literally streamed from every pore; the saliva constantly filled the mouth (quantity expectorated in 3 – -4 hours was found to be Zxvj). Temp., which in first 1/2 hours had risen half a degree, fell to normal; pulse was full and rapid, but became less so after 1 h. Effects of drug continued 4 to 5 hours, when they gradually disappeared, leaving no ill consequences behind. (Hartzell, N. Y. Medorrhinum Record, April 12, 1879.)
III. 1. The experiments of Ringer, Murrell, and Morshead have shown that P. acts like muscarine on the frog’s heart, slowing, weakening, and finally arresting it in diastole. They find, nevertheless, that P. restores for a time the action of the heart when stopped by muscarine, increasing the strength more obviously than the frequency of the contractions, the latter augmenting more decidedly under antagonists like atropine and duboisine, whose influence also lasted a much longer time. ( Journ. of Phys., ii and iii.)
2. It is now commonly agreed that the special effect of the drug on the sweat – glands is due to an action on the peripheral nerve – supply, and not on the ” sweat centres ” in the cord, since all the spinal nerves to a limb may be divided, and yet the sweating occurs in that limb. Some day after section, when degeneration of nerve – terminals has taken place, then sweating does not follow the use of the drug. Small doses injected directly into the salivary glands increase – -very large doses arrest – -the secretion, even when the salivary nerves are divided, so that there is probably some direct action on gland – cells as well as on peripheral nerves. (Phillips, op. cit.)
PIPER METHYSTICUM [Pip-m].
Introduction
” Kava – kava ” of Tahiti and other Pacific islands. Nat. Ord., Piperaceae. Tincture is made from root and extreme base of stem.
Provings and Poisonings
1 a. Dr. Griswold, aet. 42, health good, but is vulnerable and susceptible. Oct. 26th, 1875, took 10 dr. of 3rd dil. 4 times a day, increasing dose to 15 and 20 dr. by end of week, when he discontinued it. During this time a ” toning – up ” seemed induced by the drug, so that he could do more reading than formerly, without fatigue and with relish.1 b. Nov. 20th. – Has taken for 3 day past 10 – 15 dr. of 2nd dil. No symptoms save slight sensation of fulness at different parts of brain, mostly in frontal region. At midday meal to – day appetite unusually good, but food had not its usual relish or taste. He had taken drug 15 m. before eating; and it had caused dulness, fulness and pressure in forehead, with vertigo on elevating head or moving it to either side. After meal pressure shifted to lateral and occipital regions, and on lying down increased to a considerable degree, – not, however, to real pain. It was relieved by movement. At following meals everything was tasteless; there was sense as if mucous membrane of mouth and tongue was covered over, and its sensibility lost; tongue was not coated. Occasionally, in spite of this, food was taken as with ravenous haste. This evening warm glow over upper part of body, but no marked increase of heart’s action; uneasy sensation, as of pressure and weight, on each side of head above ear. 22nd. – No symptoms, though 10 dr. were taken 4 times yesterday. On rising took 20 dr., and within 2 m., while dressing, dizzy blindness came on, less on closing eyes, and it could be somewhat overcome by will; it was followed by rush of blood and fulness, – also pappy taste in mouth, warmth of stomach, and slight pain in abdomen above umbilicus. These symptoms soon passed away, leaving unusual languor of brain. 23rd. – No head symptoms after a m. dose dose of 40 dr., and he felt well all d. Repeated dose at n. 24th. – Latter part of n. sleepless, mind at work; worn tired feeling before and on arising; dizziness and frontal pressure even when lying in bed. Took 40 dr. Well till evening, when from 5 to 9 he felt dizzy, came near falling several times; swimming sensation and faintness. At n. brain felt tired; headache at right temporal region, across eye and bridge of nose, with sense of pressure along sides of nose halfway to tip (the right temporal pain is not uncommon to him when fatigued, other symptoms are). 25th. – Last n. took 2 teaspoonfuls at bedtime. Stupid sleep followed, preceded by heavy pressure on whole frontal part of head; in after part of n. active vivid dreams, alternated with half – conscious waking. Awoke with very worn feeling of brain. After getting about took another 2 teaspoonfuls. A feeling followed as if drug had descended and impressed lower part of system, producing trembling sensation of bowels and lower extremities and blood – vessels connected therewith. On going downstairs drug seemed to come through circulation upward, teaching brain and producing exhilarative dizziness and disposition to swing and stagger, as if one were under the influence of alcohol. For 1/2 hours or more felt talkative and happy. Dizziness soon disappeared, and left a generally ” toned – up ” condition of brain and nervous system; on commencing to move dizziness returned. Urine this m., when first passed, was hot, and burned urethra; at 10 a. m. it was neutral and bland. Bowels, hitherto regular, constipated. Felt all day unusual life, vigour, and exhilaration. Took no more medicine. 26th. – Reaction has commenced; feelings variable and depressed; heavy dull temporo – frontal headache, increased by reading and thinking ‘ bowels constipated; appetite slight; sour eructations, especially an hours before meals, at times rolling up and rumbling all the way from stomach to mouth, but for most part breaking at throat – pit in rapid succession; feeling at throat – pit as if something ought to be swallowed, relieved for time by eructation, but soon returns. Towards n. general want of tone and life in all functions; urine hot and over – acid; eructations and feeling at throat – pit so disagreeable that he took pulsat. to relieve. 27th. – Headache all last n., with fulness of frontal region; sleep heavy, with dreams disturbing but unremembered. To – day aching continues, frontal part of brain seems solid with pain; during day this ache gradually moved backward to base of brain and along medulla oblongata; it was relieved by slight motion, increased by large, continued, and more active motion, and was affected in like manner by mental exertion; whole back of head and neck felt congested, sore inside and tender to outside pressure, and of double or treble their ordinary size. Gradual improvement in e. Bowels still constipated. For last 6 – 8 day teeth have been very sensitive to cold water or air, and to the brush. 28th. – Severe pains and soreness of back of head have gradually gone off, leaving brain (cerebellum) only sensitive. The feeling of over – size continues, changing from frontal to occipital, sometimes also to lateral, regions. Agreeable languor alternates with pleasant youthful freshness and vigour, both of body and mind. Feeling of general tonicity comes on as during primary stage of the medicinal action; voluntary muscular action, as then, so easy as to be almost involuntary, and co – ordination impaired, finds himself walking fast without knowing it, legs and feet seem to be running away with (or from) him. 29th. – Large and natural stool this m., first for 4 – 5 d. Felt well till towards evening, some business anxieties occurring, pain came on about middle of forehead, proceeded outward to each side of head, and after retiring at n. followed around sides of head and attacked posterior part. Sensation was not extremely painful, but was indescribable; it was as if parts were evenly compressed in every direction, especially from front to back. Nervous system was at highest tension, could not sleep first part of n., and latter part only at intervals; could lie still but a few minutes at a time, it seeming as if head and neck would be compressed to death if I remained quiet long; hands sought cool places, otherwise no perceptible increase of heat; no thirst. Constrictive or compressed feeling extended to chest and stomach as well as to brain, though in less degree. During most of proving eyes felt wide open, and hearing more acute than usual. Nest day symptoms gradually diminished; and from Dec. 1st to 7th he felt unusually well. On 7th headache, &c., as on Nov. 29th recurred, with (as then) an emission at night; and the same thing happened every week or so till end of January. (Hahn. Monthly, xii, 547.)
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.