8 k. G., in the doses in which I have employed it, does not affect the temperature.
8 l. Strange to say, the effect of an internal dose of G. is opposite to that occasioned by application to eye itself. When given by mouth in doses sufficient to produce symptoms, the drug, in very instance but one, caused contraction of pupils (in one case to a pin’s point). In the exceptional instance there was a rapid alternation between dilation and contraction, without any apparent cause; and in another, pupils strongly contracted when exposed to light, but dilated freely in a darkened room, and when recontracting on exposure to light seemed in an unstable conditions, oscillating a good deal. The contraction of the pupil does not cease on the disappearance of diplopia or dimness; indeed, when the dimness passes away, the myosis may increase. On to the other hand, the topical application to the eye dilates the pupil, especially when the alkaloid gelsemia is employed. Accommodation also becomes paralysed and the sight affected. Vision becomes nearly natural in 24 hours but pupil remains dilated much longer, sometimes, indeed, for a week, or even a fortnight. In three instances I thought I detected slight primary contraction, lasting only a few month (RINGER, op. cit., 10th red.)
8. a. Dr. EDW. N. AMOSS put a drop of 6th dil. into half a tumblerful of water, and took a teaspoonful every 2 or 3 hours for 2 days. He reports following symptoms:- Dull full feeling, with severe aching, in whole of orbits; feeling as if something remained behind in urinating, stream stops and commences again; dull full aching extending from ensiform cartilage along under free ends of right false ribs to lumbar region as if liver was congested, – worst pain about a hand’s breadth from sternum; continued jerking in right sartorius muscle, about middle of thigh; slight sharp cramp like pain in left gastrocnemius, about largest part of muscles; cramp in instep of right foot, also in right side about last false ribs; dull and light headache over all front and top of head, after drowsiness and sleep in forenoon; also after sleep in evening, light head; slight dryness of mouth and throat (as after salt beacon), with disposition to swallow frequently; feeling of relaxation of whole body, especially of hands and feet, with indisposition to move, breathing slow and superficial, with now and then deep inhalation; pulse slow and weak; hacking cough, with feeling as though a drop of liquid had entered windpipe with frequent clearing of throat; in eating, food drops into trachea, causing strangling; sharp stitches through eyeball and about origin of gluteus maximum (here like cramps); drawing pain in hamstrings, extending across joint; drawing stitches in dorsum of right hand, down middle and ring fingers; pain from pyloric end of stomach to axilla and under scapula and down (right) arm to outer side of forearm, terminating about a hand’s breadth from elbow, – this passed off after taking biscuit and coffee; sore feeling during deglutition about root of tongue and larynx, with accumulation of mucus in upper trachea, causing frequent clearing of throat; slight griping pain through abdomen, mostly in umbilical region, after supper; right inguinal gland swollen and tender; two little painful spots on each side of umbilicus, extending down into bowels,–pain increased by pressure.
8 b. Continued proving, 2 dr.in half a tumbler of water, 2 teaspoonfuls for dose. Slight jerking in right rectus and vastus externus; burning sensation at inner canthus of right eye; full feeling in whole head, with some throbbing and uneasiness in occiput; head feels full and excited, feverish; sharp stitches around umbilicus; weak nauseated hacking ought; languid feeling of whole body, especially of hands and feet (HALE, op. cit.).
Poisonings
I. Some barrels of G. tincture being on board a grounded vessel, several deck hands tapped them, and drank (it is supposed) from each. “They looked very much like dead men; their eyes were closed, circulation very feeble, no pulse perceptible, and breathing so low it could hardly e discovered. ” Stimulants were given and all (five) recovered (HALE, op. cit.;)
2. A convict in N. H. State prison swallowed 3iss of fluid extract with intent to poison himself. The effects were, -great prostration, nausea and vomiting, dilated pupils, inability to speak or move, coldness of surface, feeble pulse. Tense symptoms passed off, with proper antidotes, in about 24 hours. (Ibid)
3. A child, aet.4, suddenly complained that it could not see, and died in 1/4 hour. P. M, a great quality of flowers of common wild jessamine was found in stomach. (HERING, Brit. Journ. of Hom., xxi, 405).
4. A gentleman was in his garden transplanting yellow jessamine. After he had cut off some roots and thrown them aside, two of his children about 3 and 5 respectively, pick them up, and (beyond doubt) chewed and swallowed some. Shortly after the younger one came to his mother, lay down near her, and, as she thought, fell asleep. After a while she wished to awaken it, but found it dead. The other also fell ill and died in like manner, in a few hour. ( Ibid.)
5. A woman, several weeks pregnant, took 3 teaspoonfuls of tinct. In 2 hours she complained of pain in stomach, nausea and dimness of vision. These symptoms were soon succeeded by great restlessness, ineffectual efforts to vomit, and free perspiration over body. After 5 hours pulse was found feeble, irregular and sometimes intermittent; there was great prostration, with irregular and slow respiration. Skin was dry; extremities cold; pupils expanded and insensible to light; eyes fixed, with inability to raise lids. The vital powers rapidly gave way, and without convulsions death occurred in about 7 1/2 hours after poison had been taken. P. M., lungs were found slightly collapsed, and cavities of heart greatly distend with dark grumous blood. (Amer. Journ. of Pharm., January 1870, p. 14).
6. a. Two men took by mistake each a tablespoonful of Tilden’s fl. extr. of G. First, B-, was found lying on his left side; face somewhat congested; pupils dilated, but responsive to light; eyelids half closed, with apparent inability to move them; lower jaw drooping, and his tongue (to use his own expression) “so thick that he could hardly speak; ” skin warm and moist; pulse small and feeble, and respirations somewhat diminished in number. He had neither purging nor omitting. Second, S-, complained of blindness, and staggered in walking; was inclined to sleep, with deep inspirations, and a numbness of whole body
6 b. In a private communication with which Dr. Davis ha favoured me, he states that pupils of both were widely dilated, and that both had double vision. Dizziness and vertigo were also experienced by both, but no impairment of intellect. Consciousness was not lost by S-, who recovered; but B- was unconscious an hour before death. Eyelids were paralysed in B-‘s case, only partially so in -‘s. Loss of muscular power in B- complete; partially so in S-. Great numbness of extremities. Action of heart very feeble; respiratory movements diminished in both cases. Dr. D. describes condition of B- just before death as follows: – “Pupils widely dilated, spasmodic breathing, surface cold and congested, pulse almost imperceptible, and total unconsciousness. ” There occurred no evacuation in either case except cold perspiration. Death ensued in the fatal case in 2 1/2 hour B-was not given an emetic until absorption had fully taken place. S-, on the other hand, received an emetic soon after swallowing poison. (BARTHOLOW, Pract, v. 206 [*For original detailed report see Am.Journ. of MedorrhinumSc., 1867, p.271(also Brit.Journ. of Hom., xxv 521). The above gives all that is essential therein, and adds, the facts contained in the later communication from the observer.–EDS.*]
7. a. On December 31st, 1875, about 3 p. m., on returning home with a vial of fl. extr. of G., I incautiously applied bottle to my tongue, with view of ascertaining flavour, when carriage gave sudden jerk, which caused me to swallow about 3j. On reaching home a few morning after, I felt giddy and drowsy, but sat down and ate some sandwiches. During this time strabismus gradually came on, with paralysis of muscles of mouth and throat, muffled speech, and dropping of lids, especially left. These symptoms gradually increased, until deglutition became impossible, and I had to remove the last morsel taken with my fingers; voluntary muscles being at this time perfectly unimpaired, also sensation and consciousness. I now became somewhat alarmed, and asked for coffee and brandy. This condition continued to increase, and my wife sent in alarm or our friend Dr. – He endeavored to administer an emetic, but power of deglutition being entirely gone, gave up attempt. I now stated, with difficulty, that I though paralysis about face was subsiding, but feared it was extending to muscles of respiration. Dyspnoea soon came on with praecordial oppression. Being placed in recumbent position, mustard poultices were applied to neck and chest, and brandy and ammonia given. I now became semi-conscious; and the dyspnoea continued rapidly to increase, a series of short quick respirations being followed by three or four prolonged gasps. Breathing then ceased, and I became livid and rolled in agony from sofa to floor. I was at this time so far conscious as to feel myself becoming rigid, and try to say, “Over. ” After this consciousness entirely left me. Cold water douches, stimulation of skin and artificial respiration were used. My pulse was a mere flutter, and had almost ceased. In 3 or 4 morning I so far recovered as to perceive light, consisting of myriads of stars, as on recovery from chloroform. The lights of chandeliers could now be distinguished, and consciousness had so far returned that I was soon able to speak, and shortly after to sit up. The dyspnoea did not return, and I was soon able to swallow a little coffee. Muffled speech continued for some hour.
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.