35. A number of undesirable incidental effects have been observed after the subcutaneous injection of ergotin. Von Langenbeck, after the injection of 0.3 grm., noticed the occurrence of specks before the eyes and pain in the shoulders. Eulenburg saw dizziness and vomiting. More threatening were the general symptoms which appeared in a case of poisoning reported by Rezek, after the injection of 0.04 gr. In 55 m. patient made a few convulsive movements with the whole body; pupils became dilated; eyeballs rolled; unconsciousness came on; skin became cool, and pulse ceased. Cold douches and ether dissipated these symptoms. Hildenbrandt witnessed milder effects. A lady, after 6 injections, had dizziness, uncertainty of motion, spasmodic contractions of flexors of upper and lower extremities, nausea, and sense of constriction of chest. As soon as drug was discontinued, these phenomena disappeared, to return when it was again employed. (Lewin, op. cit.)
36. M. S -, aet. 38, widow, without children. Without syphilitic history, she began 4 years ago to complain of rheumatoid pains and headaches, which recurred during the following two years. Then ensued sudden paralysis of the right third nerve, with diplopia and vertigo. From 2 – 3 months later there came on weight of limbs with inco – ordination, also lightning pains, most felt in rectum and perinaeum. In 1880, when first seen, there was weakness of sphincters, diminished sensibility of lower extremities, inco – ordination, &c. During 1881 she was better; could walk well, and had regained power over sphincters. Next spring, not feeling quite so well, she consulted Dr. Charcot, who ordered ergot, 0.25 centigr. per diem, to be increased by 0.05 centigr. daily till she was taking 1 grm. On 2nd day of the latter dosage she was found paralysed in all her limbs and in voice. (She had hitherto had no medical attendance, but had this loss of power coming on for a day or two.) Sensibility was much impaired in the paralysed limbs, even in the arm, which had hitherto remained normal in this respect. She had no pain, but was absolutely immobile. The ergot was immediately suspended, and progressive improvement set in forthwith. (Grasset, Progres Medical, 1883.)
37. a. A young woman, subject to haemoptysis on 2nd or 3rd day of her menstrual period, was in the habit of taking ergotin (Bonjean’s) to arrest it. She did so as usual on 5th Nov. The bleeding having twice recurred the next m., she emptied the phial, taking – it is estimated – about 5 – 6 grm. There was no more haemoptysis, and the catamenia continued to flow, though less freely. Nothing occurred, save occasional sharp pains in stomach, till evening, when patient complained of a dull pain, somewhat severe, deep in hypogastrium. She felt she wanted air, and sought to go out; but on reaching the door felt ill, lost consciousness for a moment, and had to be carried back to her couch. Considerable dryness of mouth and throat supervened, mucous membrane felt as if it were wood; skin also seemed dry and contracted. There was extreme praecordial anguish and considerable dyspnoea; ” air, air, ” she cried, I am stifling. ” There was moreover intolerable pain deep in pectoral and epigastric regions, seeming to follow course of oesophagus and perhaps of bronchi; she compared it to repeated frictions with a flesh – brush; there was continuous sense of twisting, increased at short and nearly periodic intervals. Then came dizziness, troubled and obscured vision, hummings in ears, feeling of weight in head and of constriction of temples ” as if in a vice. ” There soon followed formication in limbs which was extremely annoying; sense of shivering and general coldness; and insensibility of surface to touch, pain, and temperature, commencing in fingers and toes, and gradually invading whole body, including lips and tongue. At 10 p. m. (about 3 hours after symptoms had set in) occurred, together with increase of constrictive pains, some convulsive shocks, tonic and clonic. These became intense enough to resemble epileptiform spasms, and were followed by contraction of the flexors – fingers being strongly clenched into palms. Pallor was extreme; the sense of coldness and weakness was more marked; the patient seemed suffocating, breathing being superficial and hurried (50), with great anxiety; pulse small and contracted, regular, slow (50); axillary temp. 36.4 o.
37 b. Ether was now injected into forearm, with almost immediate relief. Breathing became easy, pains diminished, pulse got up, and warmth returned. N. passed without convulsive attacks, but several times pains increased and extended to hypogastrium, dyspnoea and praecordial anxiety accompanying. There were eructations and frequent desire for stool and urine. Next day was similarly spent, a few shocks occurring when the pains increased. There was still anaesthesia, but strong pressure could be felt. Patient felt a sense of lassitude nigh to fainting. Next n. was less calm; there were some suffocative and convulsive attacks. On the 5th there were 5 of these, one of which needed hypodermic ether. Pains, however, were less frequent and severe. Appetite was maintained, but food caused pain as it passed down oesophagus. On 9th all symptoms were less marked; anaesthesia was going off, and formication returning. Thenceforward convalescence went on unchecked.
The contractions of the flexors persisted throughout the 3 day during which the convulsive attacks occurred. (Debierre, Bull. de Therap., Jan. 30th, 1884.)
SEPIA
I. 7. evening Dr. Wesselhoeft informs us that the subject of this proving died a year or two later of cancer of the lungs, and that at the autopsy the tumour (a fibroid 6 in. in diameter) was found uncured. Her pelvic symptoms while proving S. must therefore be received with caution.
SPIGELIA (see vol.iv, p.118)
I. 4. a. I am perfectly healthy in every particular, blonde, of full habit and round physique. Dec. 4th, 1877, I began proving Sp., as directed by Dr. Hoyne. This proving is said to have been made with the tincture, but what doses were taken, and with what frequency, is not specified – EDS. The first marked and recorded symptom was enlargement of and pain in mammary glands, seeming to originate deep in centre and proceed to surface, causing irregular flashes of heat in head, eyes, neck, and shoulders; also, fulness of head and eyes, making eyes red and producing lachrymation, with decided vertigo. At this stage of proving, Jan. 3rd, 1878, I had a marked chill for 2 successive n., coming on after retiring, commencing about region of heart and in feet and hands, affecting entire system, and producing restlessness and hyperaesthesia of the nervous system, which keen sensibility remained after the chill passed away. There was large deposit of uric acid in urine – an unprecedented occurrence; finger and toe – nails became brittle, nails breaking off, and many white specks appearing; teeth became so sharp and brittle that from slightest contact pieces would break off, and the gold fillings came out. I now thought it wise to discontinue the proving; but symptoms continued. My period, which had always been perfectly regular, came on a week too early, and was accompanied with great constitutional disturbance. I had to give up lectures and retire from books, company, &c., and admit that I was sick, – osseous, muscular, and nervous systems all giving out, rendering it impossible for me to leave my room for 2 day, feeling as though I had had a long and severe attack of sickness, ending in relaxation of whole body.
4 b.In addition to the foregoing symptoms I give the following, which have been present to some extent from the first: A state of irritation of heart so severe that beating is heard almost constantly while walking and sitting, and worse still while lying down, – therewith pain in heart itself, producing sensation that I must get fresh air. I have had paroxysms of fever, with red lips and cheeks. Pain which has been present in my chest from the first has culminated in gastritis, which for the past two weeks has been aggravated by severe pain of constricting character in two places in oesophagus, one about 1 1/2 in. above cardiac orifice, the other about middle of tube, at which point pain is constant and severe, passing through to back just below inferior angle of right scapula; at these points pain is increased at every attempt to swallow either liquid or solid substances. There was also frequent vomiting of very sour, acrid, clear or frothy matters, especially early in m. before taking food or drink; sometimes the matter vomited has been bitter, and of the colour of bile. Entire length of oesophagus has been in spasmodic contractions so severe that for days and nights I could neither rest nor sleep without the almost constant use of ice. ( Medorrhinum Advance, Jan., 1886.)
5. a. Woman, aet. 30. Health moderately good; occasional slight prolapse of uterus and slight leucorrhoeal discharge, beginning just before menstrual period and continuing a short time after it. On evening of Nov. 12th took 5 dr. of tinct. on retiring, and continued taking same m. and evening for 2 d. On m. of 14th experienced intense itching of nares; discontinued medicine for 2 day, and itching disappeared. On resuming drug on m. of 16th, and continuing 2 day longer, had dark – brown thickly coated tongue, and nausea rising into throat, with weary dragging feeling in lower limbs, and suffocating feeling in throat. Ceased medicine for 2 d. On taking it again, symptoms began about 8 p. m. with burning red cheeks and lips, and tingling sensation in back of throat, very similar to that experienced after taking lobelia. On appearance of menstrual flow there is not the usual prolapsed feeling; but the last symptoms of the third series of doses were severe pains like those of labour, setting in between 2 – 3 a. m., and lasting about 1/2 hours, coming on gradually, and increasing and diminishing in strength until three paroxysms had come and gone. They were preceded by a chill, which awoke her from sleep; she was then lying on right side, and had to remain thus, as turning on back made them worse. Catamenia a bright scarlet red.
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.