23 c. The figures formed by the flickering in these experiments P – describes as “Flimmerosen, ‘ because the outline of the rose is their type. In place of the round spots in the middle of the field of vision observed in the first experiment there now occurred a space bounded by four deep oval circular lines, forming four large round indentations, and the waves of light and shade surrounding it show the same indented form but less pronounced. these fingers, which first appeared on the 2nd day, were, formed when they reached their height on the 3rd by curved (but flatter) lines having 5 indentations, and were surrounded by waves of light and shade exhibiting a similarly fivefold but not deep indentation. During the later days, when the flickering decreased, there was noticed only a lateral fragment of the rose shape, as it were a small segment of a much larger but much less deeply indented circle than that seen heretofore. (Phys. der. Sinne, ii, 120; from Frank’s Magaz., iv. 154.)
24. Man, aet.25, in good health. For 3 days preceding experiment average daily quantity of urine excreted was 1474.5 c. c., sp. gr. 1024:30, solid matter 75.31 grm., of which 30.17 grm. were inorganic, and 45.14 organic. Tinct. was now given 20 min. 3 times daily for 2 days. Urine passed on 1st day was of pale straw colour, and feeble acid reaction; quantity 1950 c. c., sp. gr. 1013:25; total solids 69.98 grm., 31.27 inorganic, 38.71 organic. No other effects. On 2nd day urine presented similar physical character; quantity was 1873.6 c. c., sp. gr. 1014.32; total solids 63.74 grm., inorganic 30:15, organic 33.49. Pulse slower and fuller. On 3rd day quantity was 1624.9 c. c.; sp. gr. 1020.04; solid matter 67.29 grm., 33.19 inorganic, 34:10 organic. Urine otherwise same. On this day characteristic cardiac effects of drug were manifest (hammond, Amer. Journ OF Medorrhinum Sciences, N. S., xxxvii, 276).
Poisonings
A healthy, robust young man, affected with sore-throat, was advised to take “throat – wort tea. ” Having filled a quart pitcher with fresh leaves of D. he poured upon them as much boiling water as the pitcher would hold. Of this strong infusion he took a teacupful on going to bed, which caused him to sleep soundly. In morning he took a second cupful (the infusion being much stronger), and then went to his employment.. He soon felt dizzy and heavy, began to stagger, lost his consciousness, and at length fell down in a state of syncope. On being conveyed home he vomited severely, and suffered extreme pain in abdomen. When visited he was conscious, complained of great pain in head; pupils ware dilated, and the surface was cold, pallid, and covered with a copious perspiration. Pulse was low, about 40, there of four feeble pulsations being succeeded by a complete intimation of several seconds; and each stroke, though weak, was given with a peculiar explosive shock. There was still great pain in abdomen, with incessant and violent vomiting; no diarrhoea; suppression of urine and abundant flow of saliva. Brandy an ammonia with warmth were employed and after reaction had commenced purgatives were administered. The man slowly recovered but the pulse presented its peculiar beat and weakness of several day, and during this time the man could not bear the upright position. (TAYLOR, Poisons, p. 747.)
2. A peasant, aet.55, took by the advice of a neighbours half a glassful of the juice of D. for the cure of an intermittent fever. Severe pain in epigastrium soon set in, followed by constant evacuations, both by vomiting and stool, of dark yellow colour and offensive smell, confusion of ideas, giddiness, contracted pupil, cold sweat, universal and partial trembling and likewise stiffening of body, bending forward of body attended with violent tearing pain in the abdomen, sighing respiration, difficulty of swallowing, small irregular pulse, and scanty, very painful expulsion of red urine. These symptoms continued 6 days; on 7th pain subsided, but patient was stupefied, face livid, body covered with cold sweat, respiration more raid. He died on 8th day. On dissection stomach was found empty and inflamed at larger curvature, but more so at pylorus. Duodenum was in same state, and a gangrenous spot at its larger curvature. Whole of the intestines were inflamed, and partially gangrenous Liver and spleen were swollen, an bladder full of urge. ( Oppenheim’s Zeitschrift, 1843, May, p. 52).
3. A man suffering fro asthma took by mistake 4 grammes instead of 5 centigrammes of powdered leaves. He was soon attacked by vomiting, vertigo, and dazzling; he could not sit up or distinguish objects. The vomiting was violent, attended by abdominal pains, and continued for 2 days; on 3rd days these were less, pulse remaining slow and slightly irregular. On 5th day pulse was still slow, pains less, asthma decidedly relieved. Weakness and slowness of pulse continued during the 6th and 7th days, and these symptoms disappeared on 9th, but at this date vision was still confused, and the fire appeared to the patient of a blue colour. It as not until the 14th day. that vision became normal. (ORFILA, Toxicology, 1845, ii, 418).
4. Victoire Z -, servant with an apothecary, generally of good health, sent for me on March 10th, 1863, about 5 p. m., She complained of lassitude, violent headache, and pain in the pit of the stomach. Since the previous evening she had vomited a great deal and felt herself much worse. She attributed her malaise and the vomiting to indigestion owing to eating chestnuts. I found skin cold; pulse 52, of fair strength, but irregular, and with frequent intermissions; face was pale pupils dilated; tongue slightly coated, thirst considerable; epigastric pain was increased by pressure; abdomen painless, no diarrhoea. Sinapisms and infusions of lime flowers were the remedies. On the 11th, 3rd day of her illness, she had not slept at all; vomiting recurred as often as the took anything. pulse 52, irregular, and intermittent; temperature of skin subnormal; pupils still dilated. The cause of her illness was obscure until the apothecary exclaimed, “The cause has been discovered; the unfortunate girl has been poisoned with infusion of digitalis. ” She had taken it by mistake; the infusion contained about 50 grains of the leaves. From this moment all was explained, the slowness and irregularity of pulse, the vomiting, the muscular debility For 3 hours she had experienced no uneasiness, soon after felt desire to vomit, then vomited alimentary matters of a greenish-yellow colour. She felt cold all over, and had vertigo and dimness of sight to such an extent that she could not come downstairs the whole evening. Since taking to bed she had not urinated; no movement of bowels. She felt bruised all over, felt as if drunk, and vision was still indistinct; soft blowing murmur with first sound of the heart. Thursday, 4th day of illness, found patient had passed water during night and also towards morning; bowels not opened. Vomiting continues, pulse 42, respiration embarrassed (16); still vertigo, felt as if drunk and much fatigued. evening, pulse 46, stronger; vomiting less frequent. Friday, 5th days, pulse 58, less irregular, vomiting less frequent, patient’s feelings a before, menstruation has come on. In afternoon pulse 60 and quite regular. The first part of the night she passed comfortably; at 2 a. m. she got up alone to make water; on returning to bed she suddenly fainted, the attendant rushed to her but she was dead. No post-mortem examination was obtained. (Gazette des Hopitaux, June, 1864).
5. Poisoning of two healthy recruits by long-continued use of day taken to save them from military service;as reported by Dr. CONRAD KOHNHORN.
5 a. The symptoms of one on December 18th (4 days after enrollment) were complete loss of appetite, nausea, heartburn, occasional vomiting, constipation, great tenderness over stomach, headache, and dizziness. He presented a miserable appearance, tongue was thickly coated, and breath foetid; temperature. 98.6o, pulse 56. These symptoms continued until end of December, strength failing, and aspect becoming more pitiable. January 1st – Skin pale and ashy grey, parchment-like; lips, conjunctivae and gums anaemia, tongue moist, with greyish-white coating, breath offensive no disturbance of motor power, sensorium free; temperature 97.8o, pulse 52. These symptoms remained stationary until January 9th, with increase of headache and vertigo; also noise in ears, dimness of vision and hiccough. On 9th he stood up to have his throat examined and fell down in a faint. At 1 a. m., wishing to go to the closet, he was helped by an assistant to dress; scarcely had he risen when he fainted, became convulsed, and died. P. M. – All the organs were healthy; blood nowhere coagulated, but fluid, and of dark cherry-red colour; right side of heart full, left contained no blood. Brain was very anaemic; mucous membrane of stomach and duodenum presented some isolated spots of congestion upon which the capillaries had ruptured, and ecchymosed were found. The deceased, it was calculated, had 246 gr. of powdered D. in shape of pills during a period of four to five weeks.
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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