Experiments on animals
1. The volatile oil of nutmegs is a strong poison. Six drachms killed a middle – sized rabbit in 13 1/2 hours; 3ij killed a strong rabbit in 5 day; 3j killed a small rabbit in about 30 hours; 3j injected into stomach of a full – grown rabbit made it sick and ill for several day, after which it recovered. P. M. – In stomach was found extravasation of blood and formation of blood – vesicles on mucous membrane, which was partially softened and devoid of blood, without being inflamed in the adjacent parts. Interior of duodenum was much divested of epithelium and filled with mucus. In the first experiment (with 3vj) stomach and jejunum were injected with blood. The most important symptoms of poisoning were – frequent and powerful pulsation of heart; slight acceleration of breathing; at first restlessness, afterwards muscular weakness; little or no diminution of sensibility; evacuation of hard faeces; ejection of a peculiarly smelling sanguineous urine after the smaller doses, but no diuresis. Later, decrease of strength and pulsation of heart; difficult breathing; diminished heat in external parts; death without convulsions. (Pharm. journ. and Trans., x, 350.).
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.