Introduction
Lithic carbonate, Li2CO2.
Provings
1. C. L.K-, effects of triturating drug. Pains in eyes as if little grains of sand were in them, decidedly greater in left eye; later, stitches in right (HERING’S PROVINGS, Am. Hom. Rev., ii, 485.)
2. a. HERING took 1/2 gr. of 3rd trit. Pain in left side of head and malar bone, sticking-burning sensation from below upwards (6 m.); head painfully confused (10 m.); headache like a stitch in right vertex, which is sensitive when touched (z hours); pain in left parietal bone (3 1/2 hours); headache superiorly, right side (e. of 1st d.). In right inner canthus cooling sensation (5 m.); pain inwardly above globe, over external canthus (6 m.); burning stick sensation over right eye outwardly and in right molar teeth (20 m.); twitching drawing pain round right eye, especially on outer side, and deep in orbit, – sunlight blinds him upon streets, on a dull day (1 hours); sore pain in margin of upper right eyelid, a feeling of dryness (2nd d.). Pain in bone behind left ear, extending somewhat towards neck and further (2 1 hours) Coryza (1 hours). Pain in a left lower molar (e. of 1st d.). Sensation in throat as if it would become sore (1 hours).; soreness of throat on right side while swallowing, for 1 hours (81 hours). Sticking burning sensation in epigastrium, going from below upwards (10 m.). Violent pain horizontally in hypogastrium (1 hours). Violently painful dull stitch in perinaeum, from within outwards, when walking (81 hours).; itching in anus, very sharp, sudden, and short (101 h). No stool till 2nd day; diarrhoeic stools m. of 4th day, followed by dark reddish brown urinary sediment. Sensation as if bladder were affected (20 m.); sensitive pain in region of bladder, sharp pressure, more on right side, like flatulent colic (2 hours); later visceral tenesmus, to which he is subject, occurred. Gentle twitching to and fro in spermatic cords and vesical region (21 hours); pain at root and right side of penis, with throbbing stitches while sitting (2nd d.). Violently painful dull stitch from with in outwards, worst from above downwards, in sacrum (101 hours), and pressure there internally as with a dull point here and there, most on left side (e. of 1st d.). Pain near insertion of right pectoralis major, at margin of muscle (1 hours); pain in metacarpal bone of left little finger (e. of 1st d.). Itching-burning pain on small spot, first of knee, then on right hip, then of thigh, then of little toe, and itching- sticking pain internally on left thigh, – knees are week, and pain going to upstairs, and there is also pain in right calf from above downwards and in right foot (twitching from heel) forwards (1 hours); ankles pains when walking, frequent urging pains, of moderate severity, of sticking character, from within outwards, ending in burning itching in small spot on left side (e. of 1st d.). Shudderings over body.
2b. Same took 5 dr. of 1st dil. of L. causticum. Pain on right side superiorly, later on left side (2 hours). Now and then toothache on right side posteriorly (3 hours). Striking decrease of appetite up to 4 th day; slow belching; eructations, painless but unpleasant tensive pressure on small spot towards right of and below epigastrium. No stool 1st d. Passes less urine, though he drinks as much as usual. After 4 day, on lying down, violent dry cough, compelling him to sit up, -ticklings comes from small spot low down in throat, cough in short paroxysms, very violent and exhausting, ceases gradually. Paralytic stiffness in all limbs and whole body, also slight pains here and there, sometimes becoming more violent, and lasting for several day together (3 h). On evening of 1 st day intense itching on whole inner side of right thigh, also on small spots on adjacent parts, and in left middle finger. (Ibid.)
3. A young lady took 1st trit. Headache in left vertex, a kind of stitch; also fullness at pit of stomach, she could not endure pressure of clothes upon parts, pressure of hand upon it would have made her vomit; she had never felt so before (2nd m.). (Ibid)
4a. Dr NEIDHARD took a small vial of 1st dil., half an evening, half next m. After 11 hours gentle pressing pain in left forehead and subsequently over eyes, with heaviness of whole forehead and pressure in liver, – pain becomes gradually worse and extends to left side, with nausea. Unusually easy stool on 2nd m., and offensive flatus and diarrhoea on 2nd n. Pain in sacral region (11 hours). 4b. Same took 3rd dil. in e. Heaviness in sinciput, especially in frontal eminences, whole of 2nd d. Urine redder 2nd day, scantier 3rd d. Sudden shock or jerk in heart at times (2nd d.). Lax feeling of whole body, especially in knees and in sacral region, also general heat in whole body (2nd d.). (Ibid) 5. Dr. GEIST took 5 dil. for 3 m. in succession. On 1st day immediately pressure from within inwards in both temples, same also in middle of chest towards both sides; on 2nd day same, with confusion of head and painful pressing outwards in left abdominal ring; on 3rd day confusion only, with pain sacrum on standing. Weakness of sacrum when standing writing at a high desk (2nd d.) Pain and weakness of feet (2nd d.) Restless dreams (2nd n.). (Ibid) 6a. Mrs. P-took 6th dil. for 2 d. Wakened early by pain in abdomen, followed by diarrhoea, repeated about 6 times during day; gentle pains on two ensuing d. 6b. Same took 5th dil. twice daily for 3 d. Pain in left temple, extending into orbit, began 1 hours before dinner, with gnawing in stomach, passed away while eating, but came back about 15 m. after, and at same time was felt in right temple, – fullness remaining in right temple whole afternoon (3rd d.). Pain in right face from root of tooth which had been sawn off towards temple, not severe but long-lasting (1st d.); same pain in left face on 2nd day, going into left ear and causing earache, with slight transient pain in left temple; some pain in right ear, with fulness in temple, lasting whole afternoon and evening (5th d.). On 2nd day of menses there occurred uncertainty of vision and an entire vanishing of right half of whatever she looked at, – it was the same with both eyes when tested, therewith pain over eyes and tension as if bound in temples, ceasing while eating, but returning as pressure and lasting till she went to sleep (after proving). Easily nauseated before meals while driving (5th d.). From 1st to 3rd day gnawing sensation in stomach before mealtime, relieved by food, on 1st day increasing almost to vomiturition; sense as if heavy hard body were in stomach, for short time after supper (3rd d.). Pain in abdomen (1st d.). Menses 3-4 day later, and diminished. In m. after rising she bent forwards over bed, and felt instantly very violent pain in region of heart (5th d.). On 4th day pain, or rather feeling of soreness in small spots on right side of spine below joins, sensitive to touch, continuing all day; on 5th n. same sensation, changing to dull pain in sacrum, and lasting till she got up. Now and then rheumatic sensations in legs (after proving). But little sleep, without restlessness.
6c. Took 3 doses more. Transient pains in left temple, then in right brow, during slow driving. Pain now and then in right brow, gradually extending to temple and about ear (10-12 hours) Restlessness in stomach and pain and weight over brow, towards evening, lasting till she fell asleep. Pain in right thigh in front and towards outside, in small spot as if at insertion of a muscle; pain through hollow of left foot, extending horizontally to outside of foot, and thence along leg to a little below knee, -most violent and persistent when walking (24 hours after last dose); rheumatic pain in right foot, beginning at heel, and extending to mid-foot.d. Took one dose more. Tension in temples and weight in forehead towards e. Heat in eyes; eyes pained during and after reading, as if dry, and lids especially were sore. Menses again latter and scantier. Pain in heart. Pain in left hip in n. Pain in left foot as in previous evening (Ibid.).
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.