Introduction
Pilocarpus pennatifolius. Nat. ord., Rutaceae.
Provings
I. When 6 grm. of the powdered leaves are given in infusion, very soon the face becomes red; the temporal arteries throb more strongly; then there is a peculiar feeling of heat in the mouth and on the face, and the flow of saliva begins. In a little while the forehead becomes moist, and the face more red; then beads of perspiration appear on forehead, cheeks, and temples. The flow of saliva increases, all the salivary glands successively contributing to this effect; the mouth is filled with immense quantities of fluid, and expectoration is incessant; at the same time perspiration covers the face and neck; then the whole body becomes red and moist, and a pleasant warmth is experienced; in a few m. perspiration breaks out over the entire surface, and soon runs down on all sides. Meantime other symptoms have supervened. The eyelids first become moist, then the lachrymal secretion gradually augments, and, after collecting in the canthi, rolls slowly down the cheeks; at the same time there is a copious discharge from the Schneiderian membrane, increased by the tears which escape through the nasal canals; moreover, there is increased activity of the mucous glands of the pharynx, trachea, and bronchi. All these effects reach their maximum of intensity in about 3/4 hour after taking the drug, continuing thus for 30 or 40 m. Lying on one side, that the saliva may run more freely, the patient spits 10 or 15 times a m.; the flow is so rapid that he can hardly speak; the salivary glands are enlarged, and the mouth becomes hotter. The body is bathed in perspiration, a shirt is wet through in a few seconds. Then a felling of comfort or of weakness, as the case may be, is experienced. Thirst is intense. The pupils are slightly contracted. By degrees the excessive activity of the secretory processes is diminished; in 1/1/4 or 1/3/4 hours the lachrymation the nasal discharge, the bronchial expectoration, and finally the flow of saliva and the perspiration are notably lessened, and the parts involved gradually return to their normal condition. When the perspiration and salivation have ceased the subject is prostrated and drowsy. The parts which secreted so copiously are now very dry, especially the mouth and pharynx. There is also much thirst. (ROBIN, Etudes phys. et therap. sur le Jaborandi, 1875.) 2. We made four experiments on 3 healthy lads (with a slight exception noted farther on) 2 aet. 8 – 12. We gave 30 gr. of the infused drug with the dregs, and kept the lads in bed covered with their usual amount of bedclothes. We carefully examined the effect of the medicine on the sweating, salivary and bronchial secretions, pulse, respirations, and temperature. The lad on whom two of the experiments were made was slightly feverish (99.4 degree to 99.6 degree). 2a. In 3 instances the drug produced perspiration; one lad’s skin remained quite dry throughout the experiment. In 2 perspiration occurred in 10 – 15 m.; in the 3rd case it was delayed for 35 m., became profuse in 20 – 35 m. more, continued thus for 30 – 90 m., and remained slight from 2 – 4/1/2 h. 2b. There was some salivation in all cases, and in 2 it was profuse; but in the lad on whom 2 observations were made the effect on the salivary glands was very slight. The salivation was much more profuse in the lad whose skin remained dry. The salivation, when it occurred to a marked extent, began simultaneously with the sweating, was greatest when the sweating was most profuse, and lasted as long as it continued. In the lad who failed to perspire the salivation became profuse in 15 m., and so continued during 3/1/4 hours, and then in a less degree for 7 h. 2c. We noticed an increase in the bronchial secretion, indicated by a loose cough, only in the lad on whom two observations were made, and in whom but a slight increase of salivary secretion occurred. The bronchial secretion was much more abundant in the 1st than in the 2nd observation; indeed in the 2nd there was very little cough. 2d. In each observation a decided fall in the temperature occurred. In 2 cases during sweating the fall amounted to 1 degree, and in another it reached 2.6 degree. The observation was begun in the afternoon and continued till e. The reduction of the temperature persisted for the rest of the day; but in the two m. observations the lowest temp. was reached about 1/1/2 hours after the administration of the medicine. In 1 case the fall began immediately; in another in 40 m., in another in 80 m. In the lad whose skin remained unperspiring there was all fall of 0.6 degree, which, beginning 45 m. after the administration of the medicine, lasted only 2/1/2 h. 2e. In each experiment the pulse became considerably quicker, 40 – 50 beats, reached its quickest 25 – 80 m. after administration, and acceleration continued more than 4 h. No close relation existed between the rapidity of pulse and fall of temperature. The heart beat against the chest with increased force, there was distinct throbbing of the carotids, and the pulse was full as well as quick. In one lad, whose pulse was intermittent, the medicine entirely removed this irregularity. 2f. In those instances in which sweating took place the face became flushed, and this was most marked when the perspiration was greatest. The flush involved the cheeks and ears. It soon passed away, and was succeeded by pallor, while yet the perspiration continued very free. 2g. In 3 cases the medicine produced considerable drowsiness, the lads falling asleep during the observations. They were also a little sick, faint, and prostrate. The lad who failed to perspire vomited; the perspiration, therefore, was not due to nausea, nor, indeed, did they complain of it. The vomiting came on suddenly, and was not repeated. (RINGER and GOULD, Practitioner, xiii, 387.) 3a. We have recently made 37 careful observations; 20 on adults, aet. 20 – 45; 17 on children, aet. 3 – 10. To the adults we gave 60 gr.; to the children 30 and sometimes 60. These investigation have led to the detection of several new and interesting effects of J. They show us that children are very little affected by the drug. In 2 cases only was the sweating abundant, in 8 it was slight, in 7 altogether absent. Salivation was generally absent, and never more than to make the mouth a little moister than usual; and so on with the other effects. In the adults the effects were as heretofore described. M. Robin finds that the tears and the nasal secretion are increased, but in only 4 of our cases was such augmentation appreciable. In 11 cases complaint was made of pain over the pubes, and in some instances this was severe, and was generally accompanied by a strong desire to pass water, which afforded relief. A good deal of trembling, especially of the upper extremities, followed in 2 instances after administration. One man complained of much throbbing of the head the day following the experiment. Many patients complained of feeling alternately hot and cold, or chilly. One patient to whom we gave it was a nursing woman. Her milk, previously scanty, was greatly increased in quantity during the action of the drug.
2b. Mr. JOHN TWEEDY, having applied the extract to his own eye, finds that it causes contraction of pupil, tension of the accommodative apparatus, with approximation of nearest and farthest points of distinct vision; and amblyopic impairment of vision from diminished sensibility of retina. The effect reaches its maximum in 40 m., and goes off in 1/2/ hours (IBID., Lancet, 1857, i, 157.) 4. JOHN W -, aet 7, drank, at 10:30 a. m., an infusion of 3iss. Just before taking drug skin was dry, temp. in axilla 98:25 degree, pulse 90. At 11:10 temp. was 97.9 degree, pulse 104. Skin was moist over whole body, face and forehead perspiring profusely. At this time he complained that mouth was filling with water, and said there was mist before eyes. At 11:40 temp. was same, pulse 96. Skin was perspiring profusely; salivation continued. He said he could not see anything on the other side of the ward, a distance of about 25 ft.; he could see anyone standing by the side of his bed perfectly distinctly. Pupils were unaltered. At 12:10 temp. was 96.6 degree, pulse 90, skin less moist, no derangement of vision, no salivation. At 1 skin was of natural moisture, temp. 96.8 degree, pulse 96. (SAWYER, Brit. Medorrhinum journ., 1875, i,74) 5. Dr. HULL took of leaves in infusion. The first effect, which came on about 8 m. after drinking the infusion, and chewing and swallowing about one half of the leaves, was a profuse flow of saliva, which continued about 3 h. During this time at least 30 or 40 oz. must have flowed. Following closely upon this came diaphoresis, which was extremely profuse, the perspiration running off in drops and saturating everything. In about 1/2 h. sudden and severe pain was experienced in the bladder, shooting down to the urethra, and causing exclamations. This was followed by cutting pain in the lower bowel, though there was no tendency to diarrhoea; it became so severe as to necessitate an opium suppository, which afforded great relief. About this time (1 hour after taking drug) cardiac irregularity was noticed, with great weakness and rapidity of action, and a nervous restless condition, with constant yawning. There was gradually developed a dimness of vision; and soon surrounding objects, beyond a couple of inches from the eye, became indistinct. A watch held closely could be read with case. This condition lasted several hours, when nausea came on, followed by severe vomiting, ejecting the contents of the stomach, finally bile, and then passing off as a continued retching. The unpleasant effects were counteracted by the administration of whiskey, about 3ij in water; and he fell asleep to awake next m. in a weak languid state, with excessive dryness of mouth and continued thirst. (Phil. Medorrhinum Times, vii, 434.) 6. Experiment by WM. MARTINDALE on himself; from 60 gr. of bruised leaf in 5 oz. boiling water, macerated 15 m. Took dose at 11:30 p. m.; in 5 m. felt a glow, increased circulation, uneasiness in head, became restless and secretion of saliva began to increase; in 15 m. perspiring freely. Salivation and perspiration continued profuse until sight became blurred – at a distance of 4 ft. could see a face, but could not distinguish the eyes; at 12.15 near objects could be seen distinctly, but not distant ones; pupils slightly dilated; pulse 96, rising to 104. Temp. not taken. Shivering came on about this time and the excessive perspiration (” a Turkish bath was nothing to it”) continued from all parts of the body; spirit and water was administered. Saliva required constant ejection; there was a kind of collapsed feeling to the cheeks. The speech was so affected that articulation was both difficult and indistinct. 1 a. m., vomiting ensued and was encouraged; it was followed by diminution of the symptoms, and after changing clothes and taking more spirits, at 1:40 fell asleep and slept quietly until 6 a. m. Felt squeamish all next d. The saliva collected was distinctly alkaline and measured 16 oz.; more escaped, which was not measured. (Pharmaceut. Journ. 3rd ser., v., 651.) 7a. W. L. WATKINS, M. Day, aet. 23, health good, not affected easily by drugs. Dec. 1st, 1875, took 5 dr. of 5x dil. m. and evening without effect, and repeated dose 3 times next day with same result; which also followed use of 4th for 3 following d. On 6th, began to take 3x. On 1st day no symptoms were noticed; but on 7th, 1 hours after m. dose, felt slight uneasiness in head, which during forenoon increased to pain in occiput, extending to forehead, and lasting till late in afternoon. Did not take evening dose, but repeated med. before breakfast next d. About 1 hour after aching began in lower part of occiput, which increased in severity for 2 hour, when it gradually passed off. During forenoon throat felt dry and inflamed; everything swallowed caused scraping sensation. P. m., inflammation increased; tonsils slightly swollen and jaws a little stiff. This soreness lasted 2 d. On 11th took same m. and e. After latter dose felt restless and anxious; dull pain in left occiput; for 2 hours after going to bed could not get to sleep, on account of anxious and oppressed feeling in chest. After going to sleep dreamed of accidents and frights, which woke him up twice during n. Next m. quite a sore – throat, smarting pain; dull headache, mostly on left; breathing hurried. Sore – throat and headache lasted till he went to bed; next m. headache had gone, but throat was still every sore. The feeling wore off gradually during day, and next m. he was quite well. On 15th repeated dose 1/2 hour before breakfast, for which it seemed to take away all appetite, but 2 hours later he became very hungry. Usual headache came on towards noon, but did not affect appetite for dinner. Did not sleep well, from restlessness and sensation of firm pressure on chest, with hurried breathing. Next day, exhausted feeling; no headache in m., but it came on during day, and lasted till he went to bed.
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.