Experiments on animals
A tom-cat got about 5 dr. in 20 dr. of alcohol. He forthwith began to sneeze and vomit and howl dismally; much thick ropy saliva flowed from his mouth. In 5 morning these symptoms abated, and he wondered incessantly about, seeking some concealed place in which to lie down. Back was rounded up; tongue protruded; rapid and spasmodic breathing; panting; occasional spasms in stomach; piteous moaning; ears hot; eyes dull and drowsy, third eyelid much drawn over eye; constant twitching in ears; he seemed disinclined to move, as though it caused pain; he stretches out paws, protruding claws. Next morning he seemed well. (HERING, Brit. Journ. of Hom., vii, 420. 1849.)
2. In another cat, whose nose was touched with the Gl. head was thrown backwards upon neck, saliva flowed freely from mouth, which was kept open and the tongue protruding; eyes glaring and fixed, pupils much dilated. She walked backwards, but with difficulty, as limbs were rigid; pulse very rapid. On giving her a little more in mouth limbs became quite rigid; heart’s beats uncountable; respiration difficult, rapid; eyes stood out of head, iris scarcely visible. In about 2 m. she ceased to breathe, though heart still beat. A few seconds later spasmodic contraction of legs set in, and continued some time after both circulation and respiration had ceased. (Ibid.)
3. In frogs it causes at first great restlessness, then lethargy, to which convulsions and paralysis succeed. In mammals it causes depression, with very rapid pulse and respiration, paralysis of reflex action and voluntary motion, loss of sensation and death by stoppage of respiration. It agrees with nitrites in acting as a poison to muscle. The spinal cord appears to be paralysed before the cerebral ganglia, and the convulsions in frogs are of cerebral rather than spinal origin. It paralyses the heart of the frog when directly applied; and it lessens the blood pressure. (L. BRUNTON, Pharmacology, etc.).
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.