17. I was called about 2 p. m., April 3rd, 1876, to see a child of 4, whom I found delirious and acting very strangely. (It was found to have eaten some henbane seeds.) The first symptoms noticed by the mother were that its eyes had a peculiar look; they seemed dim and watery, pupils large, strange staring expression. At dinner-table he wanted everything he could see or reach, yet could not swallow readily. He understood my questions when asked, and would answer yes or no. He complained of head aching across forehead and temples; sick at stomach, but does not vomit; face and neck bloated; easily controlled in delirium. At 4 I found him much worse; would answer, and seem to know for a moment, and then would begin acting strangely; working and clutching of hands; would strike at attendants; restless, movements very quick, it was with difficulty he could be held on lap; eyes wild and staring, pupils much dilated, squinting; twitching of muscles of face; pulse 100; urine pale. At 8, child greatly excited, talking incessantly; his attention cannot be fixed on anything, nor can he be held. He is now on floor, watched by those in attendance; he wants to get away but cannot stand alone; he attempts to walk, and falls upon his face; limbs seem almost paralysed. He acts as if intoxicated, wants to fight, closes fists and strikes a attendants, also attempts to bite. At intervals he would sing, and at times burst out laughing. Nervous trembling and jerking of muscles; when anything is offered to him, he seizes it with both hands greedily; the slightest opposition excites him. Towards midnight symptoms began to diminish, but it was after 3 a. m. before patient became quiet and disposed to rest; he slept at intervals. Next morning he appeared quite natural, though eyes looked wild and staring, and
pupils were till dilated. (N. B. COVERT, M. D., Trans. of N. Y. State Hom. Medorrhinum Soc., N. S., left 157.)
18. A married man of 40, in perfect health and virile vigour, was suddenly attacked, March, 1847, with violent toothache, worse at night. To cure it, he fumigated mouth with smoke from burning seeds of H. Pain instantly vanished, but from that moment he became perfectly important, and remained so up to September, when he consulted Dr Wahle in Prague. Under stimulating treatment he recovered in 8 weeks more. (Oest. Medorrhinum Wochenschr., 1843, p. 539.).
Experiments on animals
I. As its name implies, hours may be eaten by swine with impunity; it is also said to be innocuous to cows and sheep, while deer, barnyard follows, and fish are poisoned by it. According to Orfila’s experiments, it acts upon dogs as upon the human species. Although the alkaloid is poisonous to rabbits, twenty times the quantity of strong alcoholic extract does not injure them. (STLLE, op. cit.)
2. Given to horses in large quantities it causes dilation of pupils, spasmodic movements of lips, and frequency of pulse. (PEREIRA, op. cit.).
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.