Conium maculatum, L. Common hemlock. Natural. Ord., Umbelliferae.
Provings
1. HAHNEMANN, Mat. Medorrhinum Pura, vol. iv. of original vol. i of translation. Contains 88 symptoms from self, 131 from three fellow-observers, and 155 authors.
2. IBID., Chronic Diseases, part iii of original, vol. of translation. Contains additional symptoms from self and two others, making total 912.
3. The man that was to administer the poison brought it ready pounded in a cup. Socrates, on seeing him, said, “Well, my good friend, as you are skilled in these matters, what must I do?” “Nothing else, ” he replied, “than when you have drunk it walk about until there is a heaviness in your legs, then lie down; thus it will do its work. ”… He, having walked about, when he said that his legs were growing heavy, lay down on his back; for so the man bade him. And at the same time, he who gave him the poison, taking hold of him, examined his feet and legs from time to time; and pressing his foot hard, asked if he felt it. He replied that he did not. In like manner afterwards he pressed the thighs, and thus going higher he showed us that he was growing cold and stiff; and Socrates touched himself also, and said that when the poison reached his heart he should depart. But now the parts about the lower belly were almost cold; when, uncovering himself (for he had been covered over), he said, and these were his last words, “Crito, we owe a cock to Aesculapius; pay it, therefore, and do not neglect it. ” ‘it shall be done, ” said Crito, “but consider whether you have anything else to say. ” To this question he gave no reply; but shortly after he made a convulsive movement, and his eyes were fixed; and Carito, perceiving it, closed his mouth and eyes. (PLATO, Phaedo, ed. Stallbaum, lxvi.). [*This is strictly a poisoning rather than a proving. Yet it has some of the features of the latter class; and no record of the effects of hemlock could do otherwise than begin with it. It excellently compares, moreover, with the description of Harley which immediately follows.–EDS*]
4. a. After taking 3iiij of the “succus conii” of the B. P., I set out walking, and 3/4 hour after the dose felt a heavy clogging sensation in my heels. There was a distinct impairment of the motor power; I felt “the go” taken out of me; sensation as if a drag was suddenly put upon me, and as if I could not, even if strongly urged, have walked fast; after walking half a mile this sensation very decided, m and, on putting the foot on a scraper, the other leg shaky and almost too weak to support me; my movements appeared clumsy to myself, and it appeared to me that I must make an effort to control them. At the same time a sluggishness of the adaptation of the eye; vision good for fixed objects, but on looking at an uneven objects, object put into motion there was haze and dimness of vision causing some giddiness. After an hour these symptoms rapidly disappeared, leaving me as well as ever.
4 b. The following effects were produced, during rest, 3/4 hour after taking 5 1/2 dr. of succus. On raising the eyes from a near to a more distant object, vision confused and giddiness came on suddenly; but so long as my eyes were fixed on a given object, the giddiness disappeared, and the definition and capacity of vision for the minutest objects were unimpaired, but all was haze and confusion with giddiness of directing the eyes to another object, which continued till the eyes rested securely upon one object again. Ten morning afterwards, general muscular lethargy with heavy lids and dilated pupils; in 1 1/4 hours decided weakness in legs. Giddiness and diminished motor power increased for next 15 morning. These effects attained their maximum 1 1/2 hours after taking the dose; then I was cold, pale, and tottering. The pulse, which had been emotionally excited by the sudden accession of the foregoing symptoms, was now 68, quite regular, and of undiminished force and volume. The legs felt as if they would soon be too weak to support me. Less muscular power all over body, amounting to complete paralysis as far as the hamstring and levator palpebrae muscles were concerned. It required great effort to open the lids. The mind clear and calm, and brain active; but the body heavy and well-nigh asleep. The
symptoms continued at their maximum for 1/2 hours and then declined rapidly, and in 2 1/2 hours had wholly disappeared. (HARLEY, Old Veg. Neurotics, p.3.)
5. A man aet. 57, of great muscular development, took doses of the succus, increased from 3iij to 3j. No effect till 3vj were taken: 20 morning after that sudden giddiness, and such weakness of the legs as prevented his walking and obliged him to lie down. There was aching pain across brows, and mistiness of vision. He could scarcely raise the lids, which seemed pressed down with a heavy weight. Disposed to sleep. In 20 morning he got up and walked a mile, but with very tottering legs, the knees tending of fall forwards. In 1/2 hours the effects had almost entirely passed off. On another occasion, after taking 3j, there followed the same symptoms, but the giddiness and weakness came so quickly that he would have fallen had he not caught hold of something. All the symptoms were intensified and continued longer. ( Ibid.)
6. A delicate you woman, inactive in her habits, took 3ij of the succus. In 20 morning nausea and giddiness came on. She dropped an inkstand she had in her hand, lost her walking power, and was laid down The pulse, from excitement, went up to 120, but, in a few morning, the heart became quiet, and she remained calm, but without the power to move arms or legs. In an hour there was nearly complete muscular paralysis, eyelids were closed, pupils dilated, but the mind was clear. Could not open lids. In an hours these symptoms were gone, and in 3 hours she resumed her usual habits. Next day, however, she complained of slight wearisome pain in muscles of leg. ( Ibid.)
7. John R -, aet. 57, a powerful man, took at 7:45 p. m. 3j of the succus. In 1/2 hour he was suddenly seized wit giddiness and leg-weakness, and for 1/4 hour could neither stand nor walk. During the next 1/4 hour was tottery, but could walk with assistance. For the next hour heaviness of lids and drowsiness. The giddiness and leg-weakness then ceased. The pulse never varied. The pupils were only slightly dilated, and there was no change in the urine. ( Ibid.)
8. Mary left -, aet 36, took 50 morning of tinct. of green fruit. IN 1/2 hour giddiness came on. 3j caused more decided symptoms; and 3iss was followed by double vision for several morning, much giddiness, muscular weakness, causing slight tottering, and dilatation of pupils. The giddiness and muscular weakness lasted for 1 1/2 hours ( Ibid.)
9. Mrs. M-, aet.46, took 3 gr. of extract of green fruit. In 1/2 hour severe giddiness, muscular relaxation of the orbicularis, drooping of lids almost amounting to ptosis, and inability (nearly) to walk, came on and lasted for 1 1/2 hours ( Ibid.)
10. After taking 15 or 20 gr. of extr. I have often been affected with a weakness and dazzling of my eyes, together with a giddiness and debility of my whole body, especially the muscles of my legs and arms; so that when I attempted to walk I was apt to stagger like a person who had drunk too much strong liquor. (WHYTT. Nervous Disorders, p. 22
11. SCHNELLER began with 5 dr. of tinct., increasing daily by 5 dr. up to 65; then he increased dose by 10 – 40 dr., so that at last he took 20 at a time – altogether nearly 3j. Up to dose of 50 dr. nothing was perceived but eructations followed by rumblings in bowels, which passed into gripings or pressure in epigastrium. When taking does of 55 – 85 dr. there was also shooting-drawing pain in tonsils with burning in the gullet. When dose was 100- 200 dr. there was strong saline taste in tongue, observed especially when hawking up mucus, but less in saliva, continuing for several day; also flying stitches and tearings in cardiac region, or in the head, hands, and legs, increased appetite, and frequent micturition. He felt the drawing in tonsils, and occasionally the taste, for 14 days after last dose. (Wien. Zeitschr., Jahrg. ii, Bd.).
12. Dr. FOUNTAIN proved extr. In rather more than 1/2 hour after taking 12 gr. he noticed dimness of vision with bright points scintillating or rather quickly moving in the distance; turning from side to side to notice them he reeled in the saddle; there was no vertigo in head but a slight feeling of lightness there. Very soon numb pricking sensation in fingers, extending gradually to the elbows, causing stiffness of muscles and difficulty in moving forearm and hand; soon same sensation in feet creeping slowly upwards to upper part of thigh. Eyes now began to feel uncomfortable, causing him to brush them frequently to clear apparent obstructions from the lids; pulse soft and feeble, but not fast. Dismounting in an hour, difficulty in walking, requiring assistance to reach house, lower extremities appearing nearly paralysed; smoking tobacco relieved symptoms quickly; sight became clearer, and he felt well when sitting on rising, however, the paralytic condition of the legs betrayed itself but was less. Morbid feelings continued all day, and not till after sleep did all the symptoms disappear. ( Amer. Journ. of Medorrhinum Sc., Jan., 1846.)
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.