Introduction
Mikania Guaco, Humb. and Bomp. Nat Or., Compositae.
Provings
In 1853 the Mass Hom. Medorrhinum Society selected G. for provings by its members. A quantity of the freshly-prepared tinct. (of the leaves) was distributed among them, with printed rules for experimenting. Several negative proving were reported to the Society; and a few well-marked symptoms were obtained, discussed at the meeting, but – so far as I know – never published. A few brief notes, taken a the time, are all I have on the subject, save such facts as still remain in my memory. Dr. W. F. Jackson, after taking at various times 120 dr., had unusual flow of urine, which was cloudy, with excess of phosphates, sp. gr. 1024. He had pain over region of bladder, and feeling of weight and weariness through hips and lumbar region. Dr. T. B. Wales had some pain and rumbling of bowels, followed by thin watery discharges. The writer took 2 dr. every 4 hour from 8 a. m. to 8 p. m., and another dose before retiring, for 3 days. On morning of 4th days he was awakened at 4 a. m., with pain and sudden call to stool of dark brown faecal matter, thin and watery; slept till 6 a. m., when he had another stool, sudden, forcible, profuse, with appearance as of rice water; some pain in sacrum and back afterwards, with feeling of weakness and fatigue. Tongue was not coated, nor appetite impaired; no marked change in urge. The symptoms disappeared gradually in 2 – 3 days. (TALBOT, Paub. of Mass. Hom. Medorrhinum Soc., vii, 259.)
2. Dr. ELB proved G in doses of 5-20 dr. of tinct. This proving has never been published, but Dr. Elb gives the following account of the symptoms produced, so far as they relate to the spinal cord: -“Guaco produces burning in nape of neck, high extends to shoulders; tearing stiffness, drawing tearing, extending to axilla; drawing tearing in and between scapulae, extending into forearm; frequent fine stitches, tearing and violent drawing pain along spine, worse on bending; aching and pressure forewords in lumbo-sacral region. In connection with these spinal pains, – severe aching in occiput, which sometimes extends over upper half of back. In upper extremities – aching drawing and simple drawing pains in deltoid, with a paralysed sensation; tearing and laxative pains in shoulders (both these sensations extending into forearm); burning in shoulder-joint; tearing in elbows and fingers. In lower extremities, – soreness and pain as if beaten about hip-joint; drawing in thigh; drawing and swollen feeling in calves; very considerable heaviness in legs and drawing in them; tearing in ankle-joints burning and tearing in soles. All pains in back and extremities are aggravated by motion, and continue a long time.”
Dr. Elb adds:-“The following very constant phenomena should not be disregarded, viz. difficult deglutition, there being no inflammatory affection; constriction of larynx and trachea; deafness; heaviness of and difficulty of moving tongue. ” He further speaks of having “experienced during the proving no depression of spirits, no decrease of mental activity, and in general no debility, but rather an excited condition;” of suffering often from headache and heat of head; and of there being clear indications of a congestion of the haemorrhoidal vessels. (A.h. Z., lxi.).
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.