8. I ate 2 nutmegs between 8 and 9 a. m. In about an h. I felt somewhat elated, light – headed, and bewildered; this feeling kept increasing; my mouth and throat felt very dry and I seemed to choke with thirst. I kept on at may desk till 11:30, when I went to dinner. I ate it mechanically; my wife noticed that I acted very strangely, but was not alarmed. After dinner I returned to business, all the previous symptoms becoming intensified. My head seemed to be whirling round, my eyes starting from my head; I felt that my legs and feet were getting numb, and on trying to write I found my hands almost useless. I now began to feel alarmed, and a little before 2 started for home. Twice I thought I should fall down; by sheer strength of will I reached my house. By this time my breath was coming in long gasps; my blood seemed dried up; ears and lips were white; knees knocked together; hands had lost all power; tongue cleave to roof of mouth; and I thought my end had come. After taking two doses of salts and senna I felt a little better, but my whole body seemed benumbed and dried up. I was in bed all next day and do not think I fully recovered from the attack for 2 weeks. ( Medorrhinum Counselor, Sept., 1880.) 9. Mrs. G -, aet. 24, was confined about 10 day since. She made a rapid recovery; but as there was some lochial discharge still, a friend advised her to take some nutmeg. She took nearly a whole one about 9 a. m., and soon experienced a severe burning sensation in loins, mouth and throat. About 1 p. m. she felt strangely over the whole system, with almost irresistible desire for sleep, much jactitation of muscles, vertigo and pain in frontal region, with great confusion of ideas. I was called to see her at 4; found her sitting in a chair, her husband rubbing her extremities, which felt numb; there were momentary paroxysms of blindness, when she would grasp her head saying how strange it felt; there was great incoherency in attempting to explain her ideas; marked muscular erethism, especially of extremities, simulating chorea; many ridiculous or extravagant acts and expressions, while she seemed perfectly conscious, and at the next moment would appear chagrined at her conduct, saying she could not control her actions; disposition to laugh or jest at everything; changeable humour, one moment laughing, the next crying; once stupid look for a moment; great dryness of lips, mouth and throat, without thirst; strange inclination to sleep, without the ability. Next. day there was pain in lumbar region and considerable prostration but as camphor was used rather freely as an antidote, the prostration may in part have depended upon that. In 3 or 4 day she had fully recovered. (C. L. HART, Am. F. of Hom. Mat. Medorrhinum, iv, 5.)
10. a. A woman, aet. 30, 5 mos. gone in pregnancy, having a leucorrhoeal discharge, was advised to take a nutmeg. She grated one upon an egg and a little sugar, and got through the whole between 11 a. m. and 5 p. m. During evening she had dulness of senses and loss of voluntary power and control. The upper lids were swollen, red round their edges, and drooping; she looked as if she had been crying. Her hand seemed to her red, covered with red spots, and enlarged. Indistinct sight. At 3 a. m. Dr. H. N. Martin was called to her, and learned above facts. She was suffering now with labour – like pains, having sensation as if something had fallen against rectum, causing desire and frequent efforts for stool, which came abundantly in a semifluid state. Mouth was dry without thirst. All these symptoms were relieved in an hours by a dose of nux vomica. b. Patient subsequently gave further account of her sensations. “From the time I commenced taking the nutmeg, my mouth and lips were very dry, but I had no desire for drink. There was frequent micturition of pale clear urine in small quantity, with constant desire to pass it. There was also rectal prolapsus. My head felt full and dilated, without pain; I was foolishly mirthful, but could not speak, had no desire to do so. I never felt so famished in my life, could scarcely control my appetite or indeed myself. Everything seemed to me too large, my hands double their size. There was a dark mist before the eyes, which felt as they looked. There was a sensation as if a string was tightly drawn my arms, and all the blood kept in my hands, which felt full and numb. I felt myself entirely without energy, nothing could excite me. Stools were at first very dark and hard, then watery, then pappy. I walked about all evening with my husband, and trembled and swayed about while going.” (Hahn. Monthly, 1870, 63.) 11. July 20th, 1881, I had to see Mrs. S -, whom I found suffering from the effects of a dose of nutmeg, which she had taken for the relief of a severe colic accompanied by diarrhoea. She had often taken a similar dose without ill effects. Her usual method had been to great up a small, thoroughly dried nutmeg, adding a little sugar and some brandy. Upon this occasion she had no brandy, and used water instead. The nutmeg was larger than usual, and not so dry. She took half the mixture at 10 a. m., and the other half 15 m. later. the quantity of nutmeg taken was equal to a large teaspoonful. In about 10 m. after taking the second dose her “head commenced to feel queer; ” this was followed by great dizziness. In a few m. a sense of swelling ensued, until her “head felt as large as all outdoors.” At this time she became utterly unable to reply to any questions, although her eyes were open and she apparently understood everything transpiring around her. Her pupils were markedly dilated; eyes staring into vacancy; face ashy pale; respirations laboured and shallow. When spoken to loudly she could be awakened from this semiconscious state, and would endeavour to reply, but would immediately lapse into her former semi – comatose condition. At first her pulse was small and rapid, but during this unconscious period it became irregular, fuller, and exceedingly weak. Mustard and warm water were given, and a free emesis obtained. A few drops of the spirit of camphor were administered as an antidote, under which she regained consciousness. Afterwards digitalis was prescribed, on account of the weak pulse. At 3 p. m. she had so far recovered from the poisoning as to give a clear account of her sensations. When consciousness first returned she kept her hands to her head. This, she said, was to prevent her head from dropping off; was also obliged to use her hands to move the head, it being too large and heavy for her body. the explanation she gave of the superficial breathing was, that her chest felt as if it were in a vice which allowed it to expand only to a very limited extent. A strange mental condition remained some days; this was an inability to use wards properly. Frequently she would be obliged to stop in the middle of a sentence and change it entirely, because she could not think of the appropriate words which she wished to use. The patient was also very irritable and nervous. no new symptoms appeared after those primarily developed. There was no subsequent difficulty with the digestive tract, or with the function of menstruation. (A. P. WILLIAMSON, N. Y. Medorrhinum Times, Jan., 1882.) 12. About an hours after a mid – day dinner I set out for a country walk of some six or seven miles; it was during this that by dint of perseverance I succeeded in consuming a whole nutmeg. I more than once thought of desisting on account of a nauseous feeling it created. It was about 10 p. m. the same day when the first unpleasant symptoms manifested themselves by a gradual coldness and faintness; these sensations came and went several times, and although I did not faint I felt the power of breathing was leaving me. I got to bed quickly and slept well, but on waking in the m. and attempting to dress, I found I was weaker than I anticipated, and every now and again a tendency to faint came on and compelled me to pause. I succeeded in walking to Dr. -, about half a mile from my rooms, and told him what I had done, and he immediately said – ” It is nutmeg poisoning.” I felt the faintness coming on whilst with him, for which he gave me a dose of camphor. These attacks diminished in strength, but continued for a year, occurring at no regular period. Another feature was that the abdomen felt as though full of wind but unable to relieve itself, and there heart seemed to beat in a vacuum; it also had a numb cold feeling and as it dripped sometimes; at times its action seemed suspended. There was a tendency to drowsiness and loss of energy. After eating the nutmeg I felt sick but rejected nothing. (Communicated. When patient saw me, some little time later, the mentioned also that objects seemed gradually to diminish in size as he looked at them. – R.
H.) 13. Miss. M. right -, aet. 24, tall, spare, nervous temperament. during the latter part of March, 1872, and while menstruating, partook freely of several nutmegs to lessen the flow. At 2 p. m. on the 22nd March, she ate an entire nutmeg. Between 3 and 4 p. m. same day ate a second. An hours later, having eaten another, she began to feel faint and discontinued eating. 5:30 p. m., inability to open eyes; lids felt heavy and stiff; both eyes bloodshot and much swollen; looked bewildered, but vision at time good. Later, objects looked misty. She now made an attempt to walk, but upon standing became very dizzy; she walked to the table and partook of her usual super (bread, butter, meat, and fried potatoes). On going upstairs she felt weak and numb in her limbs with sensation as though she were floating through the air; was seized, while ascending, with much feeling of weight and oppression in the stomach. On lying down she quickly passed into a deep slumber, was very restless, and tossed about much for about half an hour. Calling her name roused her; she heard the first summons and answered reluctantly, but could not thoroughly arouse herself, and was petulant and irritable when roused. Sleep was irresistible. The thought of a contemplated journey was uppermost in her mind, and she asked to be taken to the train, but at once said she ” could not go, she felt too ill. ‘ finally, her sister succeeded in awaking her; she then went downstairs; mouth and tongue now pasty and dry, having a velvety and spongy feeling. Tongue felt stiff, she could not articulate distinctly. On taking a seat the head dropped forwards, and could be raised by a strong effort. Countenance now presented as silly look; occasionally she would give a diabolical grin; mind still running on her journey. 8 p. m., speech rather difficult; tongue rolled in mouth like one intoxicated; ideas confused; eyes very dull and heavy; indescribable feeling of languor over whole body; felt especially bad about head; while upright and walking could hold head erect, but when sitting it dropped; looked pale and distressed; eyes bloodshot and swollen, so that she could scarcely see. Had much difficulty in getting into bed; on lying down a sinking sensation as though she were going to die, with no fear, however, and free from pain. Felt happy and unconcerned; sensation not complete; faculties undisturbed save in the expression of her ideas; knew all that was going in; later on ideas muddled; tongue thick, with coldness commencing in lower limbs. Soon after 9 o’clock felt chilly, almost shivering, several chills followed with intervals of freedom of several m. Between. conscious during chills, but in intervals a desire to sleep; the movements of those around her prevented sleep; hands were very cold; rubbing made her petulant; people moving in room annoyed her greatly. Both upper and lower limbs continued dead and numb until noon next d. Dr. von Tagen found following condition between 10 and 11 p. m.: Patient lying on back, breathing slow and heavy, apparently unconscious, not answering to her name when called loudly; limbs rigid, hands clasped across breast and firmly clenched. Attempt to separate hands brought on convulsions (clonic spasms): jaws firmly closed; was able to swallow after inhaling chloroform; then fell into deep sleep; on awaking, same spasmodic condition ensued. While under chloroform breathing natural, 18 per m.; pulse soft, regular, 78 per m.; during spasms pulse small, feeble, and rapid, scarcely countable; resp. 10 per m.; eyes red, watering profusely, and pupils dilated. Lids could not be opened to inspect pupils during the spasms. Expression of face denoted much suffering; much grinding of teeth and laceration of tongue; froth and blood escaped from the mouth. The auricular, epicranial, and palpebral groups of muscles seemed involved. About 1 a. m. symptoms of opisthotonos appeared, remaining only as long as the effect of the anaesthetic was withdrawn. Patient passed water during n. involuntarily while under spasms. Stomach very much distended. Skin in parts of body mottled and appeared bluish. Menses had ceased entirely; womb and ovaries tumefied and much swollen; considerable tenderness over both ovaries, especially left, ever since. There was much retching during n., but fruitless efforts to vomit. The condition described lasted all n., but fruitless efforts to vomit. the condition described lasted all n., lessening in severity towards m. About 9 o’clock next m. appeared to be sinking. She lay completely relaxed, almost pulseless, and breathing almost inaudibly. (Stimulants were then resorted to instead of chloroform.) 10 a. m., after more chloroform, swooned away, and for 20 m. lay as if dead. Patient began to arouse, and at once vomited a pint of green bilious fluid containing particles of undigested food and of nutmeg. From this time recovery dates. Towards noon slept lightly and fitfully, easily roused. Very sore, as if beaten; severe headache; weak and prostrate; deathly sickness on raising head from pillow. a year later then still remained considerable irritability about the pelvic viscera, especially at the monthly periods, when the ovaries and womb were much swollen and tender on pressure; also frequent micturition and bearing – down pains – a sort of strangury accompanies the last few drops of water. Another sequence is impaired digestion; after each meal sense of weight over epigastrium, with empty eructation, preceded by and relieving a feeling as of a lump in the throat. Attacks of palpitation to which she was subject have been worse since the poisoning. On awaking in m. dryness of back of mouth and of throat, without thirst; saliva thick and pasty. Starting in sleep continues, like electric shocks, with dreams and nightmare. Dreams of falling from high places and of being pursued by persons seeking to harm her. Trembling and weakness of lower limbs, especially going up or down stairs; easily startled, causing palpitation; more or less constant desire to take a deep breath, which she cannot accomplish. (N. Amer. journ. of Hom., Feb., 1873, p. 315.) 14. A young lady took an ounce of finely ground nutmeg in half a pint of whiskey on going to bed. She went to sleep, but was awakened in n. with precordial anxiety and burning in the epigastrium. She rapidly grew worse, thought she was dying, and sank into a semiconscious condition, in which Dr. Howard found her at 8 a. m. Her pulse was 130, respiration oppressed, face ashy, and eyes sunken. She seemed to understand what was said to her, and would begin to reply, but forgot what she was saying in the middle. Complete loss of memory lasted several day; it seemed too much trouble to follow a connected train of thought. Voices of persons in the room sounded far away; words spoken seemed as if spoken a long time before; objects appeared multiplied, and the extra images of different sizes. Her head felt much too large, and she had a sensation as if the head were being drawn backwards. Did not dare to sleep for fear she should die; sensation of brain constantly whirling round. throbbing in every part of the body; in “the ovaries” this feeling lasted a week. She lost all feeling all over the body, except the head. When she moved even the eyelids she had a sensation like “electric shocks” all over, but when she did move she was surprised to find how much power she had. She found the numbness was relieved if anyone touched her. next day she complained of cutting pain in both ovarian regions, and a dull pain in the small of the back; her stomach felt empty, but she could eat nothing; bowels moved freely; urine profuse and smelling of nutmeg; profuse, greenish, acrid leucorrhoea. Subsequently bowels costive, preceded by cramps in abdomen. Stool small and narrow, lack of expulsive power; dysphagia, food seemed to stop in oesophagus. she had a sensation as if someone were scraping her back between the shoulders. Always when sleeping, day or n., she has troublesome dreams of sexual excitement, and awoke weak and exhausted, with a swollen sensation in the ovaries. She was affected with stammering, which was unusual with her. all these symptoms gradually yielded to treatment, but the menstrual function was not established for some time. (The dose was taken to bring on the delayed menses.) (Hahn. Monthly, Feb., 1880, p. 105.) 15. A porter in the employment of Messrs. Boericke and Tafel had diarrhoea for several day, when he grated a whole nutmeg and took it in soup at 6:30 a. m. The diarrhoea was checked, but at 9 a. m. he had nausea, great weariness, and sleepiness; eyes were dull, face pale; he looked very ill. Could hardly reach his home, on account of terrible pains in both shins from knees to ankles. This pain increased so much p. m. that he could hardly walk across the room. It felt “as though the bone had been smashed to pieces.” Next day the pain was somewhat relieved, and it gradually went off. (TAFEL, in Hering.).
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.