Introduction
Collinsonia canadensis, Willd. Horse – balm. Nat. Ord., Labiatae.
Provings.
1. Dr. BURT, in perfect health, on April 27th, 1866, took 3ss of 3x dil. (aqueous). In 1/2 hour, dull pain over eyes, pressing in right temple, distress at umbilicus and eructations of air. At 12, dull frontal headache, with tearing pains in both knees, passing down inside of legs to feet while sitting; neuralgic pain in upper jaw when in open air. At 2, same headache, with frequent “rheumatic” pains in arms, hands and legs. At 3, dryness of nostrils, with frequent sharp pains in right temple, and dull aching distress in stomach and bowels. At 4, sharp cutting pains in stomach for 5 morning while sitting down. No more symptoms. 28th. – Slept well, but feel languid. At 10, repeated dose. At noon, dull frontal headache, with frequent flying pains in legs; slight nausea, with distress in stomach and bowels. Great lassitude, with desire to sleep all day; no stool. Woke next morning with dull headache, and same lassitude and drowsiness, which lasted all day; no stool. On 30th, took 3ss of 2x dil. Languor and constipation followed. On May 1st, took 20 dr. of tinct. At 7 p. m., light -coloured lumpy stool, with hard straining, followed by dull pains in anus and hypogastrium for 1/2 hour. At 9, great nausea, with hard, cutting pains in hypogastrium, and frequent emissions of flatus; lasted 1 hours, when he went to sleep. Awoke twice in night with sharp cutting pains in hypogastrium, and frequent emissions of flatus; lasted 1 hour, when he went to sleep. Awoke twice in night with sharp cutting pains in hypogastrium, with which at 4 a. m., was great desire for stool. Stool was in first part hard and lumpy, in last thin as milk, with severe nausea, straining, and faintness. Pains continued for 15 morning, when there followed another copious watery stool, with same symptoms as at first Returning to bed, slept 1 hour, when he awoke with same symptoms. Tongue now coated yellow along centre and base, with rough, bitter taste in mouth; feels very weak and faint; face quite yellow round eyes. Since last stool pains recurred every 10-15 morning, so hard that he was compelled to sit down each time, and became very faint; stool of yellow faecal matter, mucus, and about 3j of blood, with tenesmus. At 10, small stools of mucus and blood, with tenesmus and hypogastric pains. At noon, same, but some bile in stool; dull distress in right hypogastric pains. At non, same but some bile in stool; dull distress in right hypochondrium; urine high coloured and scanty. Nausea while sitting, with cutting pains every few morning in whole hypogastrium. Some pains and occasional stools during later day; feeling weak. Slept well; pappy stool at 7 p. m., preceded by dull pains in small intestines. At 10 p. m. dull umbilical pain for 5 morning 4th. – Mushy stool at 8 a. m. No more stools for 3 days, then natural stool. (HALE’s New Remedies, 2nd ed., p. 259.)
2. M. M. DOWLE, M. D., took 1 1/2 teaspoonfuls of powder. In 1/2., while supping on potatoes and milk, felt warmth in lips, and simultaneously tensive pressive headache at left supra- orbital foramen. Ten morning later headache scarcely felt, but warmth spread within lips with sense of enlargement of parts and as if innumerable needles were darting to and fro in them. Same pricking, with numbness, spread over whole face, which seemed to grow broader and broader. Tongue was unaffected, but mind felt pleasantly exhilarated. Numbness with weariness now invaded arms (first right, then left) from elbows to tips of fingers; balls of thumbs especially numb. Felt nausea, and though he must vomit. No better in open air. Lay on bed for 5 or 10 morning; lips seemed growing larger; head do; face flushing and pricking; forearms “fast asleep, ” hands feeling twice their size. Uneasy; got up and sat by stove; shut house up, feeling sick, faint, and giddy while doing so. Breathing natural; but pulse under finger would withdraw like a thread, and then return with more volume. Hot things seemed to intensify symptoms. Nux vomica was then taken as antidote. Face returned to natural feeling with each dose; the drug disorder seemed to pass away from above downwards; balls of thumbs only persisted in their numbness, right feeling somewhat unnatural even next day. The toxic sensations lasted from 6 – 9 p. m. At later hour walked out; feet and limbs felt strangely light like a deer’s, and as though he could run very fast if chased. Lower extremities seemed not to belong to him. Returning home after 10 morning felt for first time strong glow in bowels, from umbilicus down to toes, and numbness with sense of enlargement invaded lower extremities from his (save left thigh). Nux vomica (1st dil.) removed this also. Urinated several times during proving, and had one lumpy stool (U. S. Medorrhinum Investigator, 1876, p. 386).
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.