24. With special reference to the action of Ph. on the sexual organs, I have carefully experimented on 20 healthy men. Ten of them took 1/10 gr. daily for a fortnight, 5 took 1/3 gr. for a similar period, and 5 took 1/2 gr. every 3rd day five times. Toxic symptoms occurred in some of the subjects, but, except possibly in one of the last set, no sign or feeling of increased sexual excitement was observed. I have, however, seen men at 40 – 60, apparently in good health, but suffering from complete loss of generative power (in consequence either of previous sexual abuse, or of overtaxed brain and nervous system), in whom very small doses – 1/200 gr. thrice daily – caused weak erections and involuntary emissions, but mental depression was developed to such an extent as to compel suspension of the drug. (Ibid.)
25. a. In a dose of 1/20 to 1/12 gr., a little nausea may be observed soon after its ingestion. This symptoms is not constant. At some time about the 2nd hours, sensations of exhilaration begin to make themselves felt. The capacity for exertion, both mental and physical, is increased, and that condition which the French describe as one of bien – eire is experienced. If the subject have taken the dose while in a state of fatigue, then he feels his strength renewed; if while in a state of despondency, he takes a more cheerful view of things. The pulse becomes firmer and a little more frequent. These effects pass off gradually in the course of a few hours, the period probably differing in different individuals. A state of depression does not ensue. My own experience, clinical and personal, agrees with the above description. 25b. If the dose be repeated at regular intervals, so that from 1/2 to 1 gr. is taken during the 24 hours, some other symptoms may be observed in addition. Pulse and temperature rise, the former becoming fuller but not firmer; there are signs of peripheral capillary expansion; and subsequently to the first few day the temp. is reduced by 3 or 4 degrees (Gubler). I have noticed symptoms of intoxication in my own person, after solid phosphorous only. They came on about 45 m. after taking gr. 1/12, and were shown by giddiness, and a tendency to roll in walking; they lasted about 1/2 hour, and were not accompanied by any confusion of intellect. The skin may become the seat of great irritation and itching (Lobel); it becomes moist, or perspires freely; and the urine is secreted in larger quantity than usual, and is reddish and loaded. The sensation of increased muscular power, intellectual activity, and lightness of heart, before mentioned, appear and are sustained. At the same time tactile sensibility becomes more acute…. The gums have been known to suffer; they may become inflamed and retracted from the teeth, especially from the incisors (A. Voisin). I have seen looseness of teeth in one patient, tenderness of gums and teeth in another. (J. ASHBURTON THOMPSON, Free Phosphorus in Medicine, 1874)
26. During the following experiments the medicine was prepared fresh every m. as follows: 10 drops of the 3x dil. were thoroughly mixed with 2 oz. of water, and put into the inhaler for use during the d.
26a. Mrs. P – aet, 22, began inhalation Dec. 5th. No symptoms until m. of 8th, when 1 1/2 hour after inhaling for 15 m. she had a dreamy and indistinct sensation, as if objects were passing before the eyes; increased heat of head; moisture all over body, especially palms of hands and chest; feet very warm (usually very cold); a pricking sensation in the right large toe, worse when walking; acute pain in joint of left great toe; acute pain left side when taking a breath, worse on deep inspiration; soreness of scalp on crown of head, worse by pressure; raw feeling in lungs, especially r. At 5 p. m. a 2nd inhalation of 20 m.; no symptoms until 11, then flashes of heat and cold across shoulders; oppressive feeling at throat – pit; severe pain at base of spine; bearing – down and painful feeling of uterus and bladder, with smarting feeling on walking. 9th, m., another inhalation of 20 m.; felt exceedingly petulant all day, nothing went right, dissatisfied with self as with others, it seemed as if everybody did or said something to provoke her. 3:30 same day, inhaled 15 m.; about 3 hours after was seized, after eating, with severe vomiting and vertigo; about 20 hours after, increased pain with swelling and appearance of inflammation all round joint of left great toe; slight cough immediately after rising, with large quantity of greyish phlegm as if mixed with dust; eyes gummy on awaking in m. 10th. – At 1 p. m. inhaled 20 m.; 1/2 hour later violent pain in region of right hip; pains in lower abdomen; severe pain in uterus and vagina; about 3 o’clock was taken with severe chill, followed by fever and flushed cheeks (especially l.); very thirsty; increased swelling of feet, with severe pain bones of same, but they continue warm as at first; pricking in right toe has entirely disappeared; head still sore on top; about 8 p. m. pains in back and uterus have increased greatly, and resemble real labour pains, particularly in lower part of abdomen; soreness of lungs much worse, very difficult to take a full breath. In afternoon (10th) pimples all over body, bright red, with intolerable itching, scratching relieved for a time only; feet very sore and painful. 11th. – Fever with headache, no chill; indolent all day 12th. – Feet not so bad, dull pain in joints; diarrhoea (very unusual). 13th. – Bowels still quite loose, feet sore, headache. 14. – Whitish discharge from vagina, with considerable fever in evening; feet still sore. 15th. – Headache with fever p. m.; feet same. 16th, m., diarrhoea greatly increased with sharp cutting in abdomen before stool. 17th. – Diarrhoea and pain in abdomen less severe. All the symptoms of diarrhoea did not disappear for 2 weeks. The puffiness of toes and feet and the gouty pain in great toes also continued several weeks, making it difficult and painful to stand or walk.
26b. Another prover, after 2 inhalations, became covered with an itching eruption of a troublesome character, severe pain in chest and head, great difficulty of breathing.
26c. Another had pain in chest, cough with difficult expectoration, and pains in limbs. (MARCY, N. Am. J. of Hom., Aug., 1885, p.94.)
27. Provings with amorphous Ph. – (These were made on the healthy subject, and with the first three dec. trits.; but no further information is vouchsafed, and the results are given in schema form only.) Dr. GUMPERT. – Disinclination to study; anxiety and oppression, as if he had heard bad news; dull, oppressed, ill – humoured; vertigo, with slight headache; bloody mucus from nose; dryness in throat and mouth, later tender also; stomach feels empty, without appetite; nothing tastes right; constipation, dry and sluggish stool; awoke at 4 a. m. with pain in bowels and diarrhoea, and had 4 watery stools between this and 6; pain in right side, with occasional stitches; frequent and painful erections, awaking him several times; slight burning in urethra while urinating; some diuresis; tightness about chest as if air was forcibly kept out; cannot fill lungs as full as usual (worse on left side); feeling of fulness about chest; slight pain, like rheumatism, in both knees in m., by 3 p. m. this was gone, but he had same feeling in left arm above elbow; painful feeling in left instep; troublesome itching of both legs; restless n., a long while getting to sleep, though very drowsy when retiring, – woke at 7 a. m. unrefreshed; stitches in different parts, passing off soon. (H. N. MARTIN, Hahn. monthly, xii, 353.)
27. Dr. HAND. (Took drug for a month.) – Frightened feeling, as though he were going to be run over; nervous feeling, as if he were going to die; inability to think; neuralgic pain from left temporal to occipital region; pain in back of head and its left side, lasting 3 – 6 p. m.; ringing in ears, roaring in right ear; dimness of vision; nausea from 1 p. m. till retiring at 11 p. m.; belching of large quantities of wind tasting like rotten eggs; appetite impaired and irregular; loose and frequent stools, with much offensive flatus; sexual desire increased; urine turbid and high – coloured; pain from left to right nipple, thence to right shoulder, thence shooting down to right little finger; pain 1/2 in. below nipple, shooting like electricity, lasting 3/4 hour; hideous dreams; sleepy and stupid, hard to keep awake; chills at 1 p. m., lasting till 5, with ringing in ears, especially right (3 day in succession); nausea 1 – 5 p. m. then dull pain in occiput, followed by fever, flushed face, and thirst, till 9 p. m. also passing of great quantities of loud wind from bowels. (Ibid.)
28. Dr. J. W. KIRK. (Proved, apparently, from May to Dec.). Could not study, which caused headache, or keep his mind on any particular subject long at a time; could not keep still; disinclined to converse, yet did not like to be alone. Heat in head, with dullness, better by moving about; frontal headache with heat on wakening, with disinclination to rise or move about; stupid feeling in head; headache on right side from mental application; very heavy dull feeling in head after eating; dizziness, with feeling of lightness in head following it, increased p. m. Pin in right throat at breakfast, relieved after swallowing a few times, but sore there till 11 a. m.; continual hawking and clearing throat, worse from singing, when also voice breaks on upper notes. Thirst for large quantities of water at rather long intervals; no appetite for meals; belching of large quantities of wind; sensation as if little lumps rolled up oesophagus to throat, relieved by swallowing, then returning again with slight nausea. Loose discharges from bowels, dark and offensive, accompanied with pain before and after, and between – whiles, also with urging and very sick feeling; then for 2 or 3 weeks alternately constipated and loose, – costive stools difficult to expel, as from inactivity of rectum; pain in hypogastric region; rumbling in abdomen; soreness on pressure on both sides under short ribs, – when riding on horseback, stretching at right side. Seminal emissions every other n, with dreams and dribbling from urethra at slightest provocation, – also strong desire for coition, but feeble erections. Pain in lower chest on drawing deep breath; slight oppression of chest; sense of constriction in chest, with painful difficult breathing, m. (all chest symptoms worse on left side); breathing rather hurried; towards 6 p. m. very weak feeling in chest, slight pains in different parts of chest, and disagreeable cough, lasting till retiring; cough of various kinds, with dragging feeling in lower chest, and sensation as if something was tearing loose in chest, worse from movement and from warmth. Soreness in nape, felt most on turning head to left side. One glandular swelling in right and 3 in left axilla, two of which suppurated; from left axilla small lumps size of pea, at irregular intervals, ran down inner arm to wrist, tender on pressure vesicles on hands; itching eruption on anterior surface of arms (forming crust; under which surface was raw and bleeding, scratching caused smarting, burning, sore feeling), and skin was chapped, rough, and scaly on borders of axillary spaces. Legs heavy and weary; eruption on thighs and legs; numbness of left leg while lying on that side. Drowsiness in m. and e. Pulse short and quick; whole surface very hot at n., alternating with chilly sensation, then profuse perspiration during sleep. (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.