Introduction
Capsicum annuum, L. Capsicums, Cayenne pepper. Nat. Ord., Solanaceae.
Provings.
1. HAHNEMANN, Mat. Medorrhinum Pura, vol. i of original and of translation. Contains 275 symptoms from self, 65 from 4 fellow observers, and 4 from authors.
2. HARTLAUB and TRINKS. – Two rapid violent stitches from vertex into forehead (1 hour); painful twitching under right eyelid (1/2 hour); violent pressive pain at pit of stomach, increased by pressing thereupon (1/2 hour); stitches in scrobiculus cordis on rapid and deep breathing, speaking, and pressure; extreme lassitude in all the limbs, which are as if bruised. ( Arzneimittellehre, i, 303. Without explanation.)
3. a. Dr. HOGYES, 5 hours after dinner, took in a capsule 0.1 CC. In about 10m. eructations, at first tasteless, later tasting of pepper. At same time slight and not disagreeable scene of warmth in stomach, extending through oesophagus to fauces. Later, frequent eructations, sense of warmth amounted to slight heartburn, whereupon eructations also became burning. Later still, rumbling and flatus in bowels. After 1 hour symptoms disappeared. Next morning rather soft stool which glimmered slightly, followed for a short time by burning at anus.
3 b. An assistant took 0.2 cc. He experienced same sensation of warmth at epigastrium, finally becoming violent burning, followed by inclination to vomit, and general sick feeling. After 1/2 hour violent rumbling in bowels, with inclination to stool, relieved by emission of flatus. (Arch. f. Exp. Path. u. Pharm., ix, 122.).
Poisonings
1. [Hempel cites, as from Larrey, the production of atrophy of the testicles from drinking brandy in which C. had been infused. This author, however, mentions the brandy-drinking as only one of several causes; and speaks of it as” an eau-de-vie of dates, in which the natives infuse the fruits of several solanums such as the pseudo-capsicum, the capsicum, etc.” – EDS.]
2. Mrs.T-, aet.74, found on November 14th that she had taken cold, and at night took teaspoonful of cayenne pepper in solution. Next morning twice repeated dose; last was followed by sickness and diarrhoea, but when these had subsided she took two more. After these there was no vomiting or purging, but she began to pass great quantity of urine. On 16th her skin began to itch and burn, and on 17th from neck to knees was covered with a papular eruption, accompanied by intense itching and burning, worse at night, improving between 5 and 9 a. m., and continuing quieter all day. Pulse 84. Some confusion on first waking from sleep. On 19th papules were found filled in with bright erythematous redness, and in afternoon vesicles commenced forming, most abundant where perspiration would be confined. She had passed but a small quantity of high-coloured urine since yesterday. A chill now came on, lasting 30 to 60 minutes, during which she lay before fire warmly covered. Those about her found that their hands, after contact with patient’s skin=, burned and tingled for some time. Eruption spread upwards to scalp and downwards to soles. It was accompanied with much swelling of cheeks, ears, and neck, left side more affected than right without anything in position to account for this. She steadily grew worse, in spite of remedies, till 22nd, pulse remaining at full strength, not over 100. On that day she was drowsy; on 23rd lay comatose all day, and on 24th died. (DAVID HUNT, jun., M. D., N. Eng. Medorrhinum Gaz., iv, 43.).
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.