8. SCHROFF made comparative experiments with H. on 3 persons, 1, with the watery extract made from the juice of the fresh plant; 2, with the ethereal and alcoholic extract of the seeds; 3, with the watery and alcoholic extract of the root of the year old. These extracts varied in strength; the weakest was that from the 1 year old plant; somewhat stronger was that from the 1 year old root; still stronger was that from the whole 2 years old plant; much the strongest was that from the seeds, about 3 times as strong as the previous one. Small and medium doses caused a constant diminution of the frequency of the pulse by 10 to 20 beats and more within the first 2 or 3 hour. The diminution occurred the more slowly the smaller the dose, and more quickly the larger the dose. Large doses caused a rapid diminution, and the larger the dose the sooner and the greater was the rise of the pulse above the normal. Thus 0.1 gr of the ether extract of the same caused a slowing of the pulse by 20 beats in 2 hours; 0.2 grm preparation slowed the pulse to the same degree in 1 hour, in the next 1/2 hour it rose ii beats, and in the following 1/2 hour fell 12 beats; 0.4 grm. slowed the pulse by 19 beats in 20 morning in the next 20 morning. it rose 29 beats, was small and irregular, and then gradually and slowly fell. In large doses hours causes dilatation of pupils, sometimes preceded by contraction for a short time. Small doses caused confused head, dryness of lips, mouth and fauces, diminished secretion of saliva, weariness; large doses caused stupefaction, great dispossession to sleep, amounting in very large doses to coma-vigil, profound, sound sleep, which, when large doses were taken, was disturbed by horrible dreams; sometimes marked headache, vertigo, feeling of stoppage of ears, roaring in ears, weak sight, so that the letters could not be distinguished, increased sensitiveness of eyes to light, diminished sense of smell, – not of taste; inability to pay attention on any subject, which lasted 2 days., any attempt to fix attention was followed by confusion and pain in head; the weakness and vertigo caused staggering gait; the dryness of mouth and fauces produced inability to swallow, great roughness, hoarseness of voice, dry skin crackling like parchment, temperature of skin lowered. In one prover on 2 trials he had the next day, diarrhoea and inclination to vomit, without actual vomiting and epistaxis; in another on the 2nd and 3d day increased secretion of thick, viscid nasal mucus mixed with blood. Sometimes on the 2nd and 3rd day after the trial there was sweat. (Lehrbuch der Pharmacologie 553.).
9. Two dr. of such. hyos. were dropped into left eye. As no effect was observed after 15 morning he manoeuvre was repeated. In a few morning dilation of pupil commenced, and gradually increased, all objects appeared smaller and brighter. On attempting to read an indistinct appeared yellow umbra seemed to surround every black letter. This umbra only lasted one day. Afterwards seemed to be larger than the others, though the size of all was the same. The dilation of the pupil lasted 3 days. (LIEDBECK.! Jugea. ox. 444.)
10. When taken by the mouth. H. produces exactly the same effects as when its active principle has been injected beneath the skin. They are fully developed about an hour after ingestion. Three fluid oz. of a “succus” produced in an adult aged 40 effects exactly equivalent to those which followed the subcutaneous injection of gr. 1/8 of sulphate of hyoscyamine.[*See Hyoscyaminum,1.6.*] There was the same inability to maintain the erect posture, and reeling when an attempt was made to stand, and equal amount of muscular twitching. But instead of insomnia there was for 3 hours. excessive somnolency, with dreaming and occasional muttering. When aroused the condition of the parent was as in the experiment referred to, but so great was the tendency to sleep that he could not keep the eyelids open for many seconds, and he dozed off with a half- finished sentence on his lips. Two oz. of good tincture of henbane produced equivalent. (HARLEY, Old Vegetable Neurotics, p. 329.).
Poisonings
I. Poisoning of 4 children, aet. 4 to 6. Vertigo and mania. Speechless, with wild look, very dilated pupils, dark red face, blue lips, distended but not painful abdomen. Small intermitting pulse, cold extremities, lower extremities paralysed. They laughed and were incoherent, breathing short and difficult, hearing seemed to be quite extinct, general convulsions, trismus, mouth and lips distorted; wild delirium, sopor, carphologia, sensibility nearly lost, no stool or urine Suppression of urine. lasted 2 hours. Swallowing very difficult; in one boy ineffectual retching. All recovered under emetics. (SPRINGER Annal. d. States A. Kunde in Archiv, xix, 182.)
2. Man took daily doses of 8 gr. of extr. He becomes very restless, talks incoherently, will not remain in bed. Countenance expresses calmness, cheerfulness, and content. Eye clear and calm, reflective pupil rather dilated, pulse small, small, slow. He rose up suddenly and strongly, said with a smile that he was uncommonly well. Thought he was at home, wished to go out, and endeavored to persuade those bout him to let him, spoke in elegant language, with well-chosen expression, and with such liveliness that the quiet and indolent peasant could scarcely be recognised, as he used to express himself in very vulgar language. Complete sleeplessness. These symptoms lasted 36 hours (REINHOLD, Casper’s Wochensch., 1840, No. 8, A. h. Z., xixi, 63.)
countrywoman made her soup with hours roots, taking them for some other vegetable. Nine persons partook of it, and thought it excellent; but they soon felt nausea, astringent bitter taste, which excited vomiting, their pupils dilated, their countenance were distorted, they could not remain still, convulsions come on, and then delirium. They lost, in succession, sight, hearing, and speech, fell into a state of prostration, stupor, and invincible sleepiness. They all went to bed. (Encyclographie Medorrhinum, Mars, 1844, in A.H. Z., xxviii, 153.)
4. M – and wife ate a quantity of the root of the hours by mistake. After about 1 hour stupefied state, which increased flickering before eyes, eyes bright, diplopia, dilated pupils, obscuration of vision, vertigo, great dryness of mouth, trembling in limbs, staggering gait; small, scarcely perceptible, intermitting and slow pulse. An emetic soon restored them. (MENGER, Medorrhinum Zeit. v. Verbascum f. Heilk. in Preussen., v. No. 8, 40.)
4. bis. A girl, aet.4, ate some seeds of H. Soon, unsteady gait, small white vesicles on lips, and bloated face, then imperfect vision and nonsensical talk. Milk was administered, but symptoms increased every minute. 8 p. m. (3 hours after), face bright red, conjunctiva red, pupils extremely dilated, iris merely a narrow ring, unaffected by light; on lower lip some white vesicles the size of lentils, tongue with a slimy coating behind, pulse small, moderately quick, heart’s beats strong, irregular complete loss of consciousness, frequent groaning and snatching around with extended fingers, frightful grinding of teeth, frequent twitching of hands and feet, and constant incomprehensible tang.An emetic brought way milk and seeds. 8 to 10 morning after application of wet cloths to head the began to speak. Next morning the symptoms of poisoning gone, the dilatation of pupils and staggering went off in course of day. (STEIN, Ibid No. 27, 136.)
5. A boy, aet. 3, ate a number of seeds. He was found lying senseless on the floor,, beating about him, foaming at mouth, face very red, convulses movements of face and limbs. As emetic brought away many seeds, but the narcosis persisted. Soon other remedies restored him, but he had staggering gait for 8 day (GINTER, Ibid., xi, No. 44, 95.)
6. Two girls, aet. 6 and 8, ate a number of seeds of H. After 4 hours, the six years old girl had pale face, pupils greatly dilated, pulse small, quick, heart beating strong hands and feet cold, slight convulsions of extremities, distortion of eyes, grinding of teeth, unconsciousness. The 8 years old girl had hot head, increased heat of body, face red, bloated, pulse full, not quick, heart’s beats strong, irregular eyes projecting, conjunctivae very red, pupils much dilated. Very cheerful delirium; she sang and spoke incessantly and very hurriedly but indistinctly, became very violent and beat about her when spoken to loudly or touched. An emetic brought away many seeds, and after the application of cold water to head and drinking vinegar they soon recovered. (SCHUBERT, Casper’s Wochensch,., 1852, No. 14, 227.)
7. A. man took for piles about 3j of the seeds in white wine. Immediately great heat all over, head confused, sight obscured, vertigo, nausea. After 1/4 hour furious mania, cried out loudly, complained of violent pains in headed and abdomen. After 2 hours face bluish, eyes red, wild, sparkling; the veins of neck, extremities, mad face much distended, the whole body convulsed, frequent subsultus tendinum., and such furious delirium that on one could restrain him. In the intervals he was occupied in catching imaginary fires, or picking at the bedclothes; at the time he spoke little, and could hardly articulate his words. After this agitation he lay on the edge of the bed and seemed quite prostrated. then he snored like a person with apoplexy, and seemed to sleep, but this was soon interrupted by the convulsions, which returned more violent than before. Pulse small, quick, contracted, and intermitting; it disappeared when slightly pressed; tongue dry, clean; hypogastric region very distended and sensitive; urine very scanty. Itching causing him to scratch till the blood came, and insuperable horror at drink of all sorts; on taking a spoonful of liquid into his mouth he adjective it with violence. He got 4 gr. of tart. em. After 4 hours on sickness, the emetic he vomited a quantity of the seeds. The symptoms were allayed, the pulse became more regularity and stronger, the condition of head freer but the face more livid, eyes less red, but the dilated veins continued till 6 p. m; and all the symptoms went off except the confusion of head, as shown by his confused ideas. The n. was passed quietly but without sleep. About 6 a. m. general perspiration set in set in, which lasted 2 days. This was followed by an eruption of large lunette pimples, not containing any fluid, from hips to knees, where there had previously been eczema, cured by mercury. This eruption itched for 3 or 5 day, then dried up and omitted. He had dimness of vision which lasted some day. Pupils dilated. (COSTA, Journ. de Medorrhinum, xxxx, pt. 2, 134.)
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.