Introduction
Melilotus officinalis, L. Yellow melilot. Nat. Ord., Leguminosae.
Provings
1a. Dr. G. W. BOWEN, after taking in 1852 some tinct. of dried root, had a violent headache, from which on 2nd and 3rd. day he was almost delirious. On 4th day blood gushed from his nose, and he lost consciousness. Assistance was obtained, and he recovered. (U. S. Med, and Surg. Journ., v., 317.)
1b. After 15 years he took one day at 6 p. m. 10 dr. of the Ist cent dill. All that evening had acrid and burning eructations; slept tolerably well, but felt oppressed, heavy, and tired next m. That afternoon had red face, and felt sleepy and dull. At 9 p. m. after a hard day’s work accomplished with effort, had a horrible oppressive headache, and felt dizzy, faint, and nauseated. Before 10 had severe pain, apparently in r. lung, with occasional pain in l. hip, and twitching of muscles. Before he got to sleep, abdomen became considerably bloated, with crawling sensation as if worms near anus. On 3rd d. awoke after sleeping badly with much soreness in chest internally, and oppression as from a great weight. Through day much difficulty in breathing, every inspiration laboured, with continued fulness in chest and head. On 4th d. woke with spasmodic cough, in addition to some dyspnoea, oppression, and fulness of chest. He rapidly examined his clothes to see if they did not constrict him; was extremely nervous, and during this day the severe, oppressive, heavy and throbbing headache returned, causing feeling as if cerebral blood-vessels would give way. Easiest when perfectly quiet. Was obliged to void water very frequently. On 5th d. cough was horribly distressing; very easily wearied, with inability to get air enough; head better. Towards m. slight and difficult expectoration, affording a little relief, but was obliged to have fomentations on chest during n., was delirious part of n., and talked almost constantly. Next day was unable to attend to work, but recovered in a few day more. (U. S. Invest., Aug. 15th, 1878, p. 156.)
2. Dr. T. C. DUNCAN chewed portion of plant. After 2 hours headache gradually began, confined to l. supra-orbital region, aggravated by motion, better on lying down; if he allowed himself to think hard, which there was a disposition to do, it was worse; on talking, it quite l. forehead and settled in occiput, returning to forehead when he ceased speaking; it took about 1 m. to travel to and fro, and he could feel the migration; when he walked about whole head was affected, but still worst over l. eye. This headache lasted about 2 h. (Medorrhinum Invest, 1874, p. 519.).
Poisonings
1. Dr. BOWEN placed a lot of the cut plants in a room where this wife expected some company. The odour was so heavy that it gave some of them a terrible oppressive headache. Mrs. B. has found that a few sprigs of the plant in a bouquet will give her this headache. (U. S. Invest., loe. cit.)
2. He gave 1 dr. of tinct., in 4 doses hours intervals to a lady afflicted from childhood with sick headaches occurring every 2 or 3 weeks; she had also prolapsus uteri and inguinal hernia. In a week, looking very pale, she reported effect of medicine to have been a terrible headache, from which she found no relief until her nose began to bleed, which it did at intervals for 3 d. Had no return of headaches for 7 mo. (Ibid.)
3. A student, afflicted from childhood with neuralgic pains in limbs and periodical nervous headaches (1-4 weeks), took a few dr. of tinct. Next day was taken with severe headache, lasting nearly 24 hours, then relieved by epistaxis, which came on freely and recurred at intervals for some 48 h. He had had no return of his usual pains for 5 mo. (Ibid.)
4. Dr. B. saturated handkerchief of a young lady with Ist dil. After 8 day he met her, looking pale, and telling what a terrible headache she had suffered from for 3 day, and how oppressed for breath, and what a tickling cough, from which she could get no relief until her nose began to bleed, which it did for 2 day (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.