Nux vomica


Proving Symptoms of homeopathy medicine Nux Vomica, described by Richard Hughes in his book, A Cyclopedia of Drug Pathogenesis, published in 1895….


Introduction

Seeds of Strychnos Nux Vomica, L. Poison – nut. Nat. Ord., Loganiaceae.

Provings

1. HAHNEMANN, Mat. Medorrhinum Pura, part i of original, vol. ii of English translation. Contains 1200 symptoms from self, and 300 from three fellow – provers and thirteen authors.

Poisonings

1. a. PIERRE DUSTE, aet. 45, of bilious temperament and vigorous constitution, resolved in a fit of jealousy to poison himself. With this intention he took, June 13th, 1820, a considerable quantity of powdered Nux v., which he dusted over his food. Almost immediately after swallowing this he was attacked with violent convulsions. A medical man who was called excited vomiting by giving hot water and milk; the patient was then carried to the Hospital St. Louis, where he arrived about 6 p. m. His features were very much altered; he felt completely prostrated. Convulsive paroxysms closely followed one another, marked by rigidity of all muscles, jaws strongly closed, trunk and limbs forcibly extended, lasting 1 – 2 m. Patient was extremely agitated, uttered inarticulate cries, and call for help. Patient was extremely agitated, uttered articulate cries, and called for help. Pulse remained normal. an emetic excited copious vomiting; an enema was also administered. During n., the senses of sight and hearing acquired an excessive sensibility; such was the irritability of the muscles that touching the patient is sufficient to excite convulsive movement; even a slight noise produces the same effect. During the convulsions the pulse is quick and agitated, and the body is bathed in perspiration. 14th. – 7 a. m., the patient is calmer, the convulsions are shorter, less violent and less frequent, but are still liable to be excited by the causes previously mentioned. the pulse is normal, sensation of lassitude and of being bruised throughout the whole body, no pain in abdomen (a weak opiate draught was given). 9 a. m., the convulsions have ceased, and hopes are now entertained of his recovery. He continued in this calm state during day and n., complaining, however, of weakness and general pains. In evening of the 15th the pain in concentrated in the epigastric region, skin is dry, and the pulse frequent. 16th. – 6 a. m., pulse small, almost imperceptibly, dryness and heat of skin, redness of margins of tongue, acute pain in epigastric region, also pulsations there, feebleness, extreme prostration, alternation of features, eyes staring; intellectual faculties entire. Death at 10 a. m.

1b. Examination 48 hours after death. – About 4 oz. of serum in the lateral ventricles of brain, no appreciable alteration meninges or cerebrum, considerable serious effusion under arachnoid membrane of the spine. Liver large. the stomach contains some tablespoonfuls of a muco – sanguineous brownish liquid; the internal surface presents at various points a discoloration varying from red to a deep black; it is impossible to say whether this is owing to ecchymosis or to inflammatory action. the duodenum is filled with yellowish mucous fluid and is inflamed; the redness and injection of the mucous membrane extends, gradually decreasing to the small intestine; the middle portion of this is contracted and thickened, the mucous membrane at the contracted portions being ulcerated. Bladder is small, contracted, empty, and slightly inflamed, containing about a spoonful of puriform liquid. Congestion of lungs, especially towards their base, which is reddish. heart normal. Considerable rigidity of muscles (although immediately after death they were quite pliant); ecchymosis of skin, especially at the dependent parts of the body. (CLOQUET, in Orfila, op. cit.)

2. A young woman swallowed purposely 1 drm. of Nux v. mixed in a glass of wine. In 15 m. she was seized with pain and heat in stomach, burning in gullet, sense of rending and weariness in limbs, succeeded by stiffness in joints, convulsive tremors, tottering gait, and at length violent and frequent fits of tetanus. Milk given after the tetanus began excited vomiting. She was further affected with redness of gums, inflammation of tongue, burning thirst, and pain in stomach. The pulse also became quick and the skin hot. Next day, though the fits had ceased, the muscles were very painful, especially on motion. Tongue and palate were inflamed, and there was thirst, pain in stomach, vomiting, colic, and diarrhoea. These symptoms, however, abated, and on the fourth day disappeared, leaving her exceedingly weak. (TACHERON, Lond. Medorrhinum Repository, xix, 456.)

3. A young woman swallowed between 3 and 4 drachms in powder, and in 1/2 hours was seen by Mr. Ollier. She was sitting by the fire, quite collected and tranquil; her pulse about 80 and regular. He left her for about 10 m. to produce an emetic, and on his return found that she had thrown herself back in her chair, and that her legs were extended and considerably separated. She was perfectly sensible and without pain, but seemed in alarm, laid hold of her husband’s coat, and entreated him not to leave her. A perspiration had broken out on her skin, her pulse had became faint and much quicker, and she called frequently for drink. She then had a slight and transient convulsion. Recovering from it, she was in great trepidation, kept fast hold of her husband, and refused to let him go, even for the alleged purpose of getting her drink. In a few m. after she had another and more violent attack, and shortly afterwards a third; the duration of these was from 1 1/2 to 2 m. In them she retained her grasp; her whole body was straightened and stiffened, the legs pushed out and forced apart. I could not (says Mr. Ollier) perceive either pulse or respiration; the face and hands were livid, the muscles of the former, especially of the lips, violently agitated, and she made constantly a moaning chattering noise. She was not unlike one in an epileptic fit, but did not struggle, though, as she was forced out, it was difficult to keep her from falling on the floor. In the short intervals of these attacks she was quite sensible, was tormented with the incessant thirst, perspired, had a very quick faint pulse, complained of being sick, and made many attempts to vomit (I should state she has swallowed some ipecacuanha powder to evacuate the poison). She continued to refuse to let her husband move, and to the question whether she was in pain, replied “No, no, no!” A fourth and most vehement attack soon followed, in which the whole body was extended to the utmost, and she was rigidly stiff from head to foot, so much that, with all the force of the surgeon, he could not bend her thighs on the pelvis to replace her on her seat. From this she never recovered; she fell into a state of asphyxia, and never breathed again. She now relaxed her grasp; her discolored hands dropped upon her knees; her face, too, was livid; the brows contracted; the lips wide apart, showing the whole of the closed teeth, and a salivary foam issued plentifully from the corners of her mouth. The expression of the whole countenance was at this time very frightful. On removal of the body, it was discovered that the urine had been discharged. She died in about an hours after taking the poison. Five hours afterwards she was still as straight and stiff as a statue; if you lifted one of her hands, the whole body moved with it, but the face had become pale in comparison, and its expression more placid. (OLLIER, Ibid., p. 448.)

4. A. day -, aet. 20, a healthy labourer, was admitted into the Royal Free Hospital, having 3/4 hours previously taken about 3iss of powdered Nux v. When admitted he was in profuse perspiration, the skin of the face, neck, and chest was greatly congested, the eyes suffused, the pupils slightly contracted, the pulse hard and excited. The patient was greatly agitated, and on moving he grasped firmly the nearest object for fear of falling. A few m. after admission a tetanic paroxysm came on suddenly, the man was thrown into a state of opisthotonos, all his muscles becoming rigid and respiration for the time suspended. This fit lasted about half a. m., when the muscles became relaxed and he was again able to answer questions. He states he swallowed nearly all the powder. Soon after he felt a little drowsy, and the first paroxysm of tetanic spasm came on about 10 m. afterwards. he had several of these fits before he was brought to the hospital, and five after his admission into the ward. They want on decreasing in severity, and none were observed after the fifth was over. The n. following the patient slept well; next day he complained of cramping pains in the limbs when he moved them; tongue dry, much thirst, bowels confined. Next d. Patient was dismissed well. Stomach – pump was used. (Lancet, 1853, ii, 385.)

5. A. C -, aet. 16, 1/2 hours before admission into the Liverpool Hospital had swallowed some of Gibson’s Vermin Killer. When admitted she was much excited and hysterical, and complained that her back felt stiff and her throat hot. An emetic of sulph. zinc. was administered, causing her to vomit. About 10 m. after admission twitching of the muscles, which was aggravated by touching the patient, even when she did not know she had been touched, commenced in the limbs and back and rapidly extended over the body, increasing in violence and rapidity, until about 20 m. after admission the whole body was violently convulsed, the back being slightly arched, the jaws firmly clenched, and the face livid, apparently from interference with the respirations were sequence of spasm of the muscles of the chest. the respirations were very slow and laboured, ceasing entirely when the patient was moved or touched. Pulse quick and strong. a hypodermic injection of 3iss of solution of hydrate of chloral (3j to 3j). When half an ounce had been injected the spasm of the muscles of chest and jaws relaxed, the patient being able to breathe freely and speak, the face resuming its natural colour; gradually other symptoms disappeared. Next morning she seemed well. (Ibid., 1873, i, p. 698.)

Richard Hughes
Dr. Richard Hughes (1836-1902) was born in London, England. He received the title of M.R.C.S. (Eng.), in 1857 and L.R.C.P. (Edin.) in 1860. The title of M.D. was conferred upon him by the American College a few years later.

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.