39 b. On May 15th, about 9 a. m., she suddenly complained of cramping pains in arms and legs, and commenced to spit a small quantity of bright blood. On examination gums were found in a spongy condition, and oozing profusely. Tongue clean; temperature below the average; pulse 80, somewhat compressible. There was some oedema of hands and feet, especially over dorsal surfaces. Extensor surfaces of both upper arms were marked with a deep bluish mottling, with considerable surrounding erythema, somewhat raised, and very tender. There was also a similar eruption on anterior surfaces of both legs, and on outer and upper segment of right breast. Bowels open three times; clay – coloured stools. Urine: Sp. gr. 1024; it contained one – fourth albumen, bile, and a trace of blood; microscopically a few blood – cells could be seen, also bladder and vaginal epithelium, with a considerable quantity of mucus. No tenderness over hepatic region. Liver edge not felt. Liver edge not felt. Vomiting after taking milk, the vomit being intermixed with dark blood. 16th. – Slept badly; during n. had an attack of haematemesis, bringing up about half a pint of black, grumous fluid. Tenderness over whole of abdomen. Liver dulness increased to two fingers’ breadth below costal margin; edge not felt. Muscular pains persist; slight icteric tinge about conjunctivae; general dusky appearance; almost pulseless at wrists. Punctiform eruption remains unaltered. Urine contains bile and one sixth albumen; the blood test does not react. Bowels open twice; character of stools unaltered. Is passing a small quantity of blood per vaginum resembling the normal menstrual flux. Urea, as estimated quantitatively, gives a percentage of 1.8. Urine also examined for leucin and tyrosin, with negative result. The patient continued collapsed, and died at 6:30 p. m., retaining consciousness to the last.
39 c. Post – mortem. – Mucous membrane of oesophagus normal, as also that of trachea. Heart: Endocardium and valves normal; muscular wall of a pale yellow tinge, very friable; weight 18 ounces; numerous haemorrhages into both layers of pericardium. Haemorrhages into both parietal and visceral pleurae, a very large one extending over almost the whole of the layer investing the diaphragm. Peritoneum covered with numerous petechiae. Stomach apparently normal as to its mucous lining, but very thin and readily torn. Liver somewhat enlarged, of a uniform yellow colour, firm, floating readily in water, and, on setting light to a portion, burning like the wick of a candle. Some small haemorrhages on its surface. Gall – bladder: Catarrhal condition of its walls and duct, containing a small quantity of bile. Spleen slightly engorged. Kidneys palish – yellow in colour, enlarged, and congested. Uterus enlarged and congested, as also its adnexa, weighing three ounces; left ovary, occupied by a large recent corpus luteum, measuring 1 in. by 3/4 in. Cavity of body of uterus contained a little blood – stained mucoid tissue; no ovuline structure. Bladder normal. Microscopic sections showed complete fatty degeneration of liver cells, with numerous infiltrated fat globules; well – marked fatty degeneration of the epithelial lining of the tubules and glomeruli of the kidneys; and general fatty degeneration, with some infiltration, of the muscular wall of the heart. (Lancet, Oct. 17th, 1891.)
PODOPHYLLINUM (see vol.iii, p.679; vol.iv, p.688)
II. 9. I have frequently remarked a singular effect of P. on the sense of taste when administered in small repeated doses. Patients have told me that they could not distinguish one food from another during the treatment. Last week a gentleman, for whom I had prescribed it in doses of gr. 1/30 3 times a day, returned to me, after 3 doses had been taken, with his tongue and neighbouring glands greatly swollen, profuse salivation, and entire loss of taste. A larger or purgative dose of the drug has not produced these effects. (Lewis, Lancet, 1880, i, 751.)
ROBINIA.
Introduction
Robinia pseud – acacia, L. Locust. Nat. Ord., Leguminosae.
Provings
1. Dr. Burt chewed the green bark, and observed the following effects: – Constant, dull, heavy, throbbing, frontal headache, much worse on motion or reading, with occasional sharp stitches in temples; from midnight to dawn severe neuralgic pain in left temple, preventing sleep; white coating on tongue, with red tip; constant eructations, a very sour fluid being at times regurgitated; nausea for 3 hours, followed by profuse vomiting of an intensely sour fluid, setting teeth on edge, – vomiting repeated 3 times; constant distress in epigastric region, with cutting pains in stomach and bowels, and much rumbling; burning distress in stomach and region of gall – bladder; dull heavy aching distress of stomach; very severe sharp pains in stomach, all day and n. He felt very faint and weary, was low – spirited, and had no ambition for anything. (Amer. Observer, 1864, p. 61.)2. A girl and boy chewed the bark. After 3 hours, they were found with pupils contracted; thirsty; prostrate; feet and hands cold. They began to vomit an hours after supper, and continued to do so every few m. for an hours; after another hours they vomited a watery, sour – smelling substance, with much retching. Purging accompanied each act of vomiting, with last a very little dark liquid only passing, accompanied by tenesmus and great pain. They were extremely weak next m. (Ball, Ibid., 1865, p. 327.)
3. Dr. Spranger took on two successive day 40 dr. of tinct. of bark. On 1st day, soon after dose, dry scratching sensation in throat; after 4 hours, great and painful distension of bowels, with rumbling; relief after discharge of flatus. On 2nd day, after 9 hours, distension with rumbling of bowels, which seemed to fill whole abdomen, soreness when moving or on pressure; bowels costive, with frequent ineffectual desire for stool ( Ibid., i, p. 271.)
4. Same gave brother 15 dr. Soon, slight headache. After 2 hours, sleepiness and dulness in head and limbs, with stinging pain in temples, changing from right to left side. After 4 hours, dreadful dulness in head. In course of 1st day, most severe dull headache and pain in right temple; eyes felt sore and watery; running at nose; rough soreness of throat. On 2nd day dull headache, and very profuse continual discharge from nostrils, with frequent sneezing, as from a bad cold; soreness of eyes and roughness of throat; sourness of stomach; restless sleep all n., on account of frequent sneezing. (Ibid.).
Poisonings
Several cases of poisoning by ” locust beans, ” imported from Egypt, are mentioned in the Medorrhinum Times and Gazette for 1857 (i, 197, 241, 266, 269, 570). The symptoms were those of local irritation, with, in one case, a severe outbreak of urticaria, in another (a child of 20 mos.) great prostration and muscular paralysis. But, on the other hand, many seem to have eaten them with impunity; and, administered to animals, they have failed in developing any morbid condition. It is also stated that the pods known by this name belong either to the Ceratonia siliqua, the ” Algarola bean ” (carob tree, St. John’s bread – tree), or to the Hymenoea combaril of the West Indies; neither of which, save for belonging to the same natural order, and having the same common name, can be accounted interchangeable with our Robinia. In view of this uncertainty, therefore, we think it better to limit ourselves to reference here. – Eds.STRYCHNINUM (see vol.iii, p.439; vol.iv, P.714)
I. 4. The effect of nitrate of strychnia on the functional activity of the stomach has recently been made the subject of careful research by Dr. Gamper of St. Petersburgh, who employed for his experiments four healthy young hospital assistants. He found that S. increased the amount of gastric juice secreted, the general acidity, and the quantity of free acid in the secretion. It also hastened the absorption from the stomach, and strengthened the mechanical movements. Its effects, too, continued for some time after its administration had been stopped. (Lancet, 1891, i, 897.)
TITANIUM
Titanium crudum. – The copper – red crystals obtained from the slag at the bottom of a blast iron furnace.
Provings
Dr. Sharp took 2 gr. of 1st cent. trit. twice daily for a week. He became greatly disordered, and felt and looked wretchedly ill. There was nausea, loss of appetite, and sense of discomfort at stomach; giddiness; imperfect vision, only half an object being seen at once, division vertical; and desire to keep eyelids closed. (Essays on Medicine, p. 394.)VANADIUM [VANAD].
Experiments on animals.
1. The general action on the animal system, when introduced by subcutaneous injection, by injection into veins or alimentary canal, is paralysis of motion, convulsions, local or general, rapidly supervening drowsiness or indifference to external circumstances, congestion of alimentary m. m., discharge of sanguinolent fluid faeces, presence of glairy fluid mucus in intestines after death, certain changes in respiration and coincident fall of temperature, drowsiness and feebleness of pulse. Heart always irritable after death, uneasiness and sensibility to pain unimpaired, no diminution of muscular or nerve power to respond to stimulation. (Priestley, Proceedings of Royal Society, xxiv, 40.)2. The soluble ammonium salt was used, mixed with food, or a 1/2 to 2 per cent. sol. injected subcutaneously in back.
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.