2a. The experiments of Gaspard coincide with those of Orfila in assigning to the acetate considerable activity when directly introduced into the blood, the quantity of 2 – 4 gr. generally causing death in 3 – 5 d. The experiments of Campbell further show that death may be induced by applying it to a wound, and that the symptoms antecedent to death resemble those remarked by Orfila when it is injected into a vein. But these two experimentalists differ from Orfila in assigning to sugar of lead a property like that possessed by arsenic, of acting on the alimentary canal even when applied to a wound, or when directly introduced into the blood. For Campbell found the stomach congested and red, and the small intestines also vascular; while Gaspard not only observed analogous appearances after death, but even also witnessed all the symptoms of violent dysentery during life.
2b. Wibmer poisoned 2 dogs, one with small doses of the acetate daily to the amount of 3ij gr. viij in the course of 37 day, the other with white – lead given to the extent of 3ij in 14 day, at end of which periods the animals died. In both there was frequent vomiting and gradually increased weakness and stiffness of the legs. In the dead body the only unusual appearance was an overflow of dark greenish – coloured bile, which distended the gall – bladder, and lined the whole stomach and intestines. I myself gave a rabbit 8 gr. of acetate daily for 5 day, and on the 9th day 16 gr., which killed it in 1/2 h. The symptoms were extreme flaccidity, weakness, and torpor, without coma. (CHRISTISON, op. cit.)
3. HARNACK induced acute lead – poisoning in various animals with the triethyl lead acetate, with the following results:
3a. Lead affects the substance of all striped muscles; not that it makes all contraction impossible, but that it produces a rapid exhaustion of the activity of the muscle, which finally loses its irritability, dies, and falls into a death – like rigidity.
3b. Lead has an irritating effect upon a part of the central motor apparatus, probably the medulla and cerebellum; and thus causes peculiar ataxic movements, together with twitchings, spasms, and finally convulsions, consciousness and sensation being maintained.
3c. Lead irritates certain nervous apparatus situated in the intestinal walls which control the movements of the intestines, and thus produces general contractions and powerful peristaltic working, attacks of colic, increased sensibility of the whole abdominal region, and sometimes even purging.
3d. No effect is seen upon the unstriped muscular fibres of the intestines and blood – vessels. Respiration and circulation are not directly influenced, though finally both the cardiac and respiratory muscles take part in the general muscular paresis. (NOTHNAGEL and ROSSBACH, op. cit.)
4a. HEUBEL poisoned dogs in 4 weeks by gradually increasing doses of 0.2 – 0.5 grm of acetate. But few retained their normal appetite to the time of death. Most of them soon lost it, and began to vomit; their thirst increased; sometimes they suffered from diarrhoea, frequently from salivation. These symptoms diminished in intensity or entirely disappeared after a short time, only to return again. Both these and the others who retained their appetite showed great wasting of the whole body, and particularly of the muscles of the back and hind legs. The weight of the latter class was diminished 20 – 40 per cent., that of the former 50 per cent. Attacks of colic were rare; they generally occurred suddenly, while the animal was seemingly well. They were evinced by violent cries of pain, and disappeared after 1/2 hours as suddenly as they had come. The dog then again lay quietly as before the attack, ate with appetite, and drank a great deal. Relapses often occurred. Actual lead palsy has not yet been observed in animals. The muscles, it is true, waste away, and evident weakness of the hind legs occurs, often even tremor, but never complete muscular paralysis – perhaps on account of too short a period of experiment. In the 4th or 5th week eclampsia saturnina makes its appearance, – again without warning, except that the urine is often diminished for a long time previously. The animals fall suddenly, generally with a loud cry, to the ground, and are seized with violent convulsions, sometimes lasting an h. Saliva and mucus flow from the mouth; the pupils are dilated and inactive. Urine and faeces are passed involuntarily. During the intervals of the convulsions the animals is in a sleepy or comatose condition. Albumen is never, and blood seldom, found in the urine. Faecal evacuations, even at the very beginning, become fewer, and towards the end almost entirely stop. The faeces are darker, almost black; of firm consistence, but not dry. Only when severe digestive disturbances set in were these evacuations more frequent and fluid.
4b. At the autopsy a general disappearance of fat was found. The greatly reduced muscles had a normal appearance. Brain and spinal cord were of a softer and more fluid consistence. Lungs, heart and blood – vessels were normal; the heart muscles was not atrophied. The liver was generally well – supplied with blood, the gall – bladder always distended and filled with a dark green bile. Spleen, kidneys and pancreas were smaller, and contained less blood than usual. The gastrointestinal mucous membrane showed no change with the exception of a light grey discoloration. (Ibid.)
5. In large doses lead acetate has a depressant effect upon the secretion of bile. Of all the substances employed in this research, it is the only one which depresses the action of the liver without producing purgation. It seems to be a direct hepatic depressant. (RUTHERFORD, Brit. Medorrhinum Journ., 1878, ii, 945.)
6. GRISOLLE states that domestic animals are affected as injuriously as man by the emanations of lead. Cats and dogs frequenting lead manufactories nearly all die in convulsions, being sometimes stricken down suddenly; but sometimes they become blind, and run wildly about, striking against everything in their way. In the midst of this course they are often seized with convulsions, and generally they die in such an attack. These phenomena sometimes manifest themselves after the animal has been for several day dull and dejected. In certain cases they have been observed after animals have drunk water impregnated with the carbonate. (STILLE, op. cit.).
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.