Gelsemium sempervirens


Proving Symptoms of homeopathy medicine Gelsemium Sempervirens, described by Richard Hughes in his book, A Cyclopedia of Drug Pathogenesis, published in 1895…….


Introduction

Gelsemium sempervirens, Gray. Yellow Jessamine. Nat. Ord., Loganiaceae.

Provings

I. JOSHUA STONE, aet.27th, black hair and light skin, am strictly temperate in my habits of life, using no intoxicating drinks of any kind, coffee, tea, or tobacco. I am subject to occasional attacks of indigestion, and suffer much from cold hands and feet. Otherwise than this, I enjoy a very good degree of health. On November 21st, 1852, at 10 p. m., I took 6 dr. of tinct. (prepared from flowers) in water. 22nd. – During last night was quite restless, and much annoyed with unpleasant dreams. During day dull, aching pain in occipital region, much aggravated by movements, especially on bending the head downwards. This pain was much increased towards evening 23rd. – Experienced dull pains in head and extremities. 24th. – No symptoms. At 10 p. m. took 10 dr. of tinct. No symptoms. On 29th took 50 dr. at 10 p. m., 30th. – During night was very restless, with unpleasant dreams after

midnight. Dull pain in bowels, which became quite severe towards morning. Pain of similar character in sacral and lower lumbar regions. Dull, heavy pain in region of occiput. Involuntary emission of semen without section. Urine much increased in quantity. 10 a. m., dull pain in left humeral region, also in lower extremities: these are deep seated in muscles. Have felt chilly all day, particularly in morning. December 1st. – Dull aching pain in back, particularly in lumbar and sacral region, which came on about 3 a. m. Also similar pains (deep seated) in upper and lower extremities and joints generally. Yellowish-white fur on tongue. Sensation as of something wanting in epigastric region. Emission of semen without correction. All pains much aggravated by heat of bed, and are much worse after midnight. The pains spoken of above continued during day but in a much less degree. In evening eyes felt quite sore, and as if there was some foreign substance irritating conjunctiva. 2nd – Very restless during night, especially towards morning. Rheumatic pains in bones and joints of extremities and in the back, as in night previous: also pain in bowels towards morning. Headache of dull aching character in occipital region, occasionally extending to os frontis. At night eyes quite sore; not much pain, but merely soreness with sensitiveness to light and lachrymation. Slight chills during day 3rd. – Awoke about 3 or 4 a. m. with severe pains in both upper extremities; seemed to be deep seated in muscles, most severe in left arm and forearm, and in calves of both legs. General restlessness with chills in morning after breakfast. Rather dull and stupid for some day with disinclination to conversation. This was remarked by my friends, who knew nothing of my taking med. 4th. – Rheumatic pains in extremities as heretofore, but less severe. Soreness of eyes at night 5th. – Symptoms similar to those experienced yesterday. Eyes quite sore at night 6th. – About 4 a. m., awoke with pain of rheumatic character in extremities. After breakfast, experienced dull aching pain in head in region of occiput, which increased in severity as day advanced. At 10 a. m. I went to the Penn Hospital, where I saw a number of severe wounds. I am not usually affected very much by the sight of wounds, but to-day that, or something else, caused some very unpleasant sensations, which were as follows: – I became very weak, and my friend remarked that I was very pale; there was also slight nausea and trembling of lower extremities; these continued some 10 morning, but disappeared on going into the open air. Headache continued to increase in severity until after dinner, when it was much less severe. But at about 4 pain again returned, and was more severe than before, and seemed to increase in severity until evening, when it became excruciating, accompanied with slight nausea; pain seemed slightly mitigated by shaking head. I also felt quite chilly. Went to bed about 9, but recumbent position did not mitigate pain at first; I, however, succeeded in getting sleep from about 10:30 to 2:30 a. m., when I awoke with most intense aching pain in left frontal extending to right occipital region, and occasionally over almost entire head. This continued about 1 hours, and then left me entirely. After this, I experienced dull aching pain in umbilical region, which continued until I got up. Deep-seated aching pains in muscles of extremities, relieved by motion. After breakfast had sharp shooting pain from right shoulder to dorsal vertebrae. 8th. – During last night pains as heretofore, in extremities, which come on mostly after midnight. These pains also continued during day, but in much less degree. Some headache as before in occipital region. Palpitation of muscles of abdomen, which continued about 3 morning. Dull pain in lower lumbar and sacral region. 9th. – During night pains in extremities much as usual, particularly in forearms and calves of legs, also in elbow – and knee – joints. All symptoms of

extremities similar to those experienced before, but less severe. 10th. – Early in morning sharp shooting in last phalangeal joint of right thumb. Have experienced dull pains in muscles of right arm and shoulder, and some of the time in left arm and lower extremities. 11th. – Slight pains in extremities during night 3 p. m., sharp shooting pain in calf of right leg. 6, sharp pain in right wrist. 7, dull pain in left thigh, and under left scapula. 7:30, severe aching pain in left elbow. Have experienced dull pains of shifting character all day 12th. – Symptoms of last night were not prominent. Some slight pains in muscles of extremities. During day felt extremely dull and stupid, but little pain in muscles of extremities. Dull pain in head in region of occiput. 9 p. m. in right wrist, of dull character, with great weakness of same. 13th. – Pain in wrist less severe, but quite weak. 14th and 15th. – No symptoms. 16th, 10 p. m., took 50 dr. 17th. – During night very restless. During day tendency to headache on movement, particularly on going upstairs. 18th. – Slight pain in left hypochondriac region. 20th. – About 11 a. m., severe aching pain in occipital region for a few moments. Very dull and stupid, with aversion to study. (HALE’s New Remedies, 2nd ed. [*Taken from a thesis presented by Dr.Stone to the Hom. Medorrhinum College of Pennsylvania, communicated by Dr.Nerdhard *])

2. Dr. HENRY, of Montgomery, Alabama, April 3rd, 1852, took 30 dr. of tinct. The first symptoms felt were pains over whole top of head, extending back to occiput, with general dizziness and disagreeable pain in whole head. Melancholy and desponding

mood. Pains of shooting character in frontal sinus extending to eyes and jaw; pain in eye is of pricking character, extending from centre to angles. In right pains seem to wind round eye.. Pain extending from bridge of nose to eye. Pains deep in the ball of left eye, extending from above downwards. Paroxysmal pain left lower extremity. Violent shooting pain in leg, which comes on in paroxysms; every one is more violent; pain is half-way between knee and ankle. Pain in left hip confining itself to the joint; it at times extends down outside of thigh; it is of a drawing, sharp character, and is much worse on motion. Pain in flexor muscles of right forearm, in little and ring fingers, in foot and ankle, with spasmodic contraction and drawing pains in the toes. Pain in neck which confine themselves to upper part of sterno- mastoid muscles, directly behind parotid glands. On right side pain extends from last back tooth up to temples. Short paroxysmal pain in superior part of right lung; on taking a long breath it strikes from above downwards; this pain is one of the most prominent symptoms. Rumbling and rolling in abdomen with emission of flatus above and below. Periodical pains in abdomen, with yellow diarrhoea coming on in evening. Pain in left iliac region. Bowels loose, but great difficulty to discharge anything; there seems to be great strength in sphincter muscles. Yellow coat on tongue. 5th. -Took 30 dr. Experienced pain over whole top of head, extending back to occiput. General dizziness and disagreeable pain in whole head. Melancholy and desponding mood. Pains of shooting character in frontal sinus extending to the eyes and jaw as before, but more severe. Spasmodic pain extending from inner condyle of right arm to axilla. Smoky appearance before eyes, with pain above them. Total blindness ensued in a very short time after taking the 30 dr., with violent dizziness. A band-like pain which surrounds head, with shooting pain in each jaw and parietal bone. Pain in left side of head extending from parietal eminence to mastoid process of temporal, periodically recurring. Periodical pains in pectoral muscles. The med. was now taken for a week, dose being increased daily. There resulted, besides above symptoms, chilly sensation over entire body appearing at same time every day; complexion yellow, also eyes; complete prostration of system with action. (Ibid.)

Richard Hughes
Dr. Richard Hughes (1836-1902) was born in London, England. He received the title of M.R.C.S. (Eng.), in 1857 and L.R.C.P. (Edin.) in 1860. The title of M.D. was conferred upon him by the American College a few years later.

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.