16. Dr. K -, aet.24, of bilious temperamental and average health, took under Dr. Black’s directions tincture of D. He began by taking 10 dr. twice a day, then 15, then 20, increasing it by 10 dr. until the dose reached 60 dr. twice a day No effect on pulse was noticed, only possible symptom being the urine assuming a brownish colour, and heavy, disagreeable smell; with this exception K – felt remarkably well. (Ibid., p.76).
17. Dr. Q -, after ascertaining that his pulse generally averaged 48 – 55, took 10 – 36 drops daily for 6 day, in all 172 dr. No effect whatever on pulse, only symptoms experienced being headache over vertex, with temporary giddiness, on 6th and 7th day. (Ibid.)
18. A medical friend happening to talk of D. I asked him to take a dose. He had been walking 2-3 hours. After allowing him to sit down for about 5 morning, I felt his pulse, which was 72. He then took 20 dr. In 1/2 hour, continuing to sit still, pulse was 84, and in 1/2 hour more 74. (Ibid, p.80).
19. Dr. SHARP, August 21, 1872, pulse 80, took at 7:30 a. m. I dr. of 1st cent. No change for 5 morning. Took another dr. Next morning pulse was 76, rising gradually till at 16th morning it had reached 80 again. A similar fall happened after 3rd dose taken at 21st morning; but after returning to 80 at 30th morning, pulse rose to 85 by 36th, returning to 80 by 63rd. At this time there was “decided action on kidneys, shown by increased secretion.
19 b. December 2nd, at 12:30 p. m., pulse 64, took 2 dr. of tinct. At 5th morning pulse was 68, at 10th 72, at 15th 68, at 50 64, at which it remained.
19 c. June 11th, 1873, at 7:35 a. m., pulse 66, took 6 dr. of tinct. From 2nd to 15th morning pulse varied from 66 to 68, but at 20th had fallen to 63; at 25th, 64.
19 d. June 16th, at 7:50 p. m., pulse 72 took 8 dr. of tinct. Up to 6th morning pulse rose, reaching 76; thence to 80 fell, reaching 64; at 100th was 72 again (Essay in Medicine, p 717)
19. I made a series of observations on the effect produced by day when administered to healthy person, and to patient s free from heart-mischief. Giving it is moderate doses.3ij of infusion three times a. d., I obtained results agreeing with those of other observers. The pulse traces showed first a diminution in the frequency of the heart’s beats; second, and increase in the force of each beat; third, an increase in cardiac tension. (B. FOSTER, B. and F. M. Ch. Rev., xlviii, 214)
20. HOMOLLE and QUEVENNE experimented on themselves with full medical doses of digitalis at different intervals during 1842, 1843, 1848, and 1850. They give as the average results on circulatory organs a slight reiteration of pulse, in a few experiments first acceleration then retardation, the later more marked whenever the system is fully under the influence of the drug, and attended by irregularity and intermittence. The following experiment illustrate the general action of the drug.
20 a. Provers pulse for an average of 18 days observation is 68, maximum 73, minimum 73, minimum 62. Eight doses of powdered D. were taken, during the first 3 days or 20 centigrammes, and on the following of 30. During this time average pulse was 65, maximum 70, minimum 63. On the last 2 says of taking these doses he experienced on first pain in stomach and disordered digestion, without any real nausea; on second there was on standing up vomiting of yellow slimy mucus, great prostration which obliged him to lie down, and more vomiting. During 10 following day, though no more D.was taken, he felt considerable intoxication, sight was disordered, and pupils dilated; no decided headache; pulse was in average 60, maximum 72, minimum 53. For first 5 days stomach was so irritable that all food was vomited. Urine was much diminished. For 24 hours after this sense of intoxicate ceased pulse was slow, the average being 63, maximum 72, minimum 53. For first 5 day stomach was so irritable that all food was vomited. Urine was much diminished. For 24 day after this sense of intoxication ceased pulse was slow, the average being 63, maximum 72, minimum 55.
20 b. Homolle, after taking about 7 1/2 gr. of substance taken up by ether from an alcoholic solution of D. had no vomiting for 8 hour’s; he was then seized with great nausea, faintness, and vomiting which continued at intervals of 15 morning for 30 hours. Next day his pulse had fallen, and on 4th days was as low as 48. Vision was impaired, and he could not look steadily at bright steadily at a bright object. Urine was abundant, but bladder’s contractility was impaired, and external pressure was required, to expel the urine. He had pulsation of the abdominal or aorta, anxiety, epigastric constriction, and cough with pneumonic expectoration lasting for a week, but these, he thought, were caused by the continuous vomiting. (Arch. Gen, July, 1861, p.6)
21. Dr. BAHR’s experiments on himself lasted from February 27th to May 17th, 1857. During this time weather was very
changeable, in February and March unusually mild and dry, in April and to commencement of May dry and inclement, but during last days of experiment fine and warm. During winter up to May he suffered from catarrh of nose and fauces, but no cough. The experiment was directed principally towards the action of D. on the heart and kidneys; he took special care to ascertain the average action of these organs for several day and 5 times a day. Quantity of urine was, maximum 1265 c. c., minimum 875 c. c.; average in day, 1075 c. c. Pulse is habitually regular, full and strong. Average in morning was, in bed, 56, on sitting 61, on standing 66; pulsations of the heart re scarcely felt. The diet was carefully regulated, nd maintained the same by weight before during experiments.
21 a. February 26th. – Took 10 dr. of tinct.; the occurrence of acute rheumatic pains in right shoulder after exposure to cold delayed experiments until March 3rd, when he took in evening 10 dr, the pulse then being 60 4th – Pulse in bed 58, in evening sitting 62; took 10 dr. 5th. – During night had seminal emissions, which had not occurred for a year; pulse in bed 54. 10th, 11th, and 12th. – On each day 18 dr. were taken. On 13th and 14th no doses were taken; urine 900 c. c., sp. gr. 1025, urine depositing a thick white sediment.
21 b. On 19th the experiment was resumed with 1/2 gr. of powdered leaves, pulse being 57. In 1/2 hours it was 5, and in an hour 51; in evening 66. Urine 1150 c. c., sp. gr. 1023; emissions during night 20th, 10 a. m., pulse 59. 10:30, took 1/2 gr. 1 p. m., sudden severe tearing cutting pain in right frontal region from eyebrow upwards, lasting a short time but returning quickly 3 different times. P. m., 3.1/2 hours after dinner, sensation as if food were rising up in oesophagus, but no nausea. 11 p. m., pulse 58, urine 870 c. c., sp. gr. 1023. 21st. – Passed restless night 10:30 night 10:30 a. m., took 1 gr. 11 a. m., pulse 58, urine 1145 c. c., sp. gr. 1017. 22nd. – Took 1 right; urine 975 c. c., sp gr. 1025. 23rd. – Took 1 gr.; urine 1100 c. c., sp. gr. 1018. 24th, 10:30 a. m., 1 gr. After dinner sudden feeling as if heart stood still, with sense of anxiety and need to hold breath, lasting abut a. m. Urine 1200 c. c., sp. gr. 1024. 25th. – No dose; 10 a. m., pulse sitting 68, standing 81, recumbent 62; distinctly irregular, three to four quicker pulses, then smaller and slower, then stronger and fuller. During whole day felt irritable and out of humour, whereas in general he was cheerful. Appetite diminished. P. m., same pain as on 25th, but not so severe. In evening, while walking slowly felt quick pulsating pain in region of right nipple, lasting a morning, attended with taking away of breath, with anxiety. Sleepless restless night; about 1 a. m. severe palpitation of heart with rapid pulse; urine 825 c. c., sp. gr. 1026. No doses after this. 26th. -Urine 1110 c. c., sp. gr. 1026. 27th. – Urine 1105 c. c., sp. gr. 1026. Towards the end of March severe nasal catarrh, and during 4 consecutive night seminal emissions, with strong erections before resign and on getting up (a very unusual circumstance with the prover).
21 c. April 22nd, 10 a. m., took 1 1/2 gr. of powder; pulse before taking, sitting 59, standing 61; 3 hours after dinner pulse 73 sitting, 78 standing. 11 p. m., pulse 82 sitting, 94 standing; took after this another gr. Wakened towards 3 a. m. with desire to pass water which was passed in trifling quantities. 23rd. – Pulse in bed 59. Coffee and bread taste bitter. 9 a. m., pulse 72 sitting, 79 standing. Feels pulse much quickened when he walks; after sitting an hour, pulse 66 sitting, standing 85; while in former position it is full and irregular, in the latter it is small, weak, and irregular. At 10:30 a. m. 1 1/2 gr.; in an hour slight giddiness with difficulty to fixing eyes on an object. Sense of emptiness in stomach; noon, pulse 65 sitting, 81 standing, with the same character as in forenoon. 11 a. m., pulse 68 sitting, 84 standing, and irregular as before. Urine 1430 c. c., sp. gr. 1030. 24th, 11 a. m., pulse 60 sitting, 72 standing, very slight movement increases frequency and weakness of pulse. Urine 950 c. c., sp. gr. 1022. 25th. – Seminal emissions towards 11 a. m., On following night, unusual erections.
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.
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