4. Mr. T -, suffering from dyspeptic symptoms, prepared, Oct. 10th, a mixture of two tablespoonfuls of salt to brandy, of which he took about two teaspoonful m. and evening, shaking vial before each dose. On m. of 14th, shortly after taking his dose he noticed slight itching of skin about neck and under chin. He found that scratching did not relieve him, but itching rather grew worse. Upon examining parts affected, he perceived a faint blush of red and very trifling swelling, but no distinct eruption. He now began to experience considerable burning of skin accompanying the itching, and during day irritation extended down chest and arms, then down body to lower extremities, even to feet. He began to suspect the salt and brandy, but took his usual evening dose. After tea itching and burning began again with tenfold violence, and was almost intolerable. It passed from above downwards as before to soles of feet, where he experienced the greatest suffering. To use his own words, – “I could not have suffered more if I had been walking upon red – hot coals.” His feet felt swollen, but no swelling was perceptible to eye. This intense suffering lasted nearly 3/4 hours, when the irritation went off, leaving him comparatively comfortable. He had slight itching of body during n. Next day he omitted m. dose, but after breakfast and again after tea he experienced a similar attack to yesterday’s, that in the evening being even worse than before. On 3rd and 4th day he suffered in like manner, but less in degree, being always worse after tea. (BARTLETT, N. A. F. of hours, ii, 132.)
5. A child of 6, healthy save for a lameness of right leg, was for this ordered complete rest. In consequence constipation occurred, and to overcome it she was ordered an enema in which a considerable quantity of common salt had been dissolved. During following n. she became very thirsty, and drank large quantities of water, passing also much urine. These symptoms continued, rather increasing than otherwise, from May, 1868, till November, when Professor Abelin saw patient. The amount of fluid taken in 24 hours at beginning of June was over a gallon, and the quantity of urine voided in same space of time was somewhat under a gallon. Patient by that time had commenced to lose flesh and strength. Her appetite diminished, and sleep was interrupted by need of allaying thirst and voiding urine. Bowels have been regular; no perspiration, skin being generally cold. Temper has become irritable and peevish. Nov. 12th. – Patient is of ordinary size and development for age; face tolerably plump, but body thin. Skin pale, dry, elastic to feel; temp. normal. Thorax laterally somewhat compressed; resp. even, uniform, and calm. Heart normal; pulse full, soft, 92. tongue slightly coated whitish yellow; appetite indifferent; bowels regular; abdomen somewhat enlarged, but soft and resonant. Urine clear, of peculiar greenish colour and feebly acid reaction; becomes frothy when shaken, its sp. gr. in m. is 1005; p. m. 1004. M. urine shows by nitric acid test evidence of albumen; in afternoon no trace of it. In the specimens hitherto microscopically examined no tubular casts found. At end of 1 1/2 years A – heard that patient’s state had not changed, in spite of treatment. (Brit. journ. of Hom., xxxi, 415.)
6. E. A -, aet. 28, having enjoyed almost uninterrupted health until a year ago, since then had been in a very infirm state, and compelled to relinquish the teaching by which she lived. Dr. Hare saw her March 21st, 1854. Her mind seemed hopeless and confused. her chief complaint was of great chilliness, accompanied by languor; headache and great dyspnoea every m. about 3, followed by great heat with thirst, which terminated in profuse perspiration. It was c]elicited that just before her illness she began to eat salt as vermifuge,. and in course of time acquired a taste for it and habitually ate it in great quantities. The quantity consumed daily seems to have been about 3j or 3iss. On further inquiry, the following symptoms were ascertained: – Constantly craving for food, but is unable to eat more than a few mouthfuls, immediately after which she feels distended almost to suffocation, and has violent palpitation; thirst constant; great pain at praecordium after eating or drinking; heartburn and waterbrash daily, occasionally empty vomitings; gums ate sore and swollen, and bleed easily; breath foul; submaxillary glands swollen, stiff, and painful; tongue red and shining; blood saliva runs from mouth at night; voice completely changed, is husky and monotonous, resembling that of a woman addicted to ardent spirits; uvula much swollen and elongated, clinging to right tonsil; vessels of throat much congested. periods very uncertain, at first every 2 weeks, now 6 or 7 weeks frequently intervene. She is generally chilly, but each n. suffers excessively from rigors, followed by heat and profuse perspiration; as the rigors come on, and during their continuance, her languor is excessive, and the headache and dyspnoea almost indescribable. Urine is scanty, but there is constant desire to micturate; it is painfully acrid, contains there times its proportion of chlorine, and deposits large quantities of uric acid. She is naturally constipated, but for last 3 mos. has suffered much from constant diarrhoea. She complains of rheumatic pains in arms and legs; feet and ankles are particularly painful and stiff. Her hair has fallen off, and she is occasionally troubled with an itching eruption on her scalp. Her perspiration was so saline as to produce excoriation on parts of body where skin was thinnest. His mind was much weakened; her once keen sense of honour and of right and wrong seemed blunted; she was in turns vehement and passionate, moody and silent. Omission of the salts effected little change, nor did arsenicum, but sp. nitr. dulc. speedily initiated improvement, which under other remedies went on to complete recovery. ( Monthl. Hom. Rev., iii, 211.)
7. I always suffer when I have eaten anything slated, as bloaters, &c. When salt is used as a condiment I suffer from thirst and a sensation of heat over the whole body, a kind of fever. After having taken much salt I suffer from eructations, even vomitings; flatulency; bad taste in mouth, &c. (LIEDBECK, Brit. journ. of Hom., xxx, 405.)
8. A patient tells me that whenever she eats salt her breath becomes short and chest tight and as if a dry stick of wood were down throat, with cough. (BERRIDGE, N. right journ. of Hom., i, 312.).
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.