Introductions
Rheum palmatum, L. Rhubarb. Nat. Ord., Polygonaceae.
Provings
I. HAHNEMANN, Mat. Medorrhinum Pura, Vol. ii of original and of translation. Contains 194 symptoms from self and 5 others, and 14 from authors.
2. SCHNELLER began with 2 gr. of an aqueous extract, increasing dose daily by 2 gr., until at last he took 38 gr. at once. Total amount taken was 380 gr. After first doses he experienced chiefly frequent empty eructation (soon), and (subsequently) rumbling and twisting of bowels, tension and pain in right umbilical region, with discharge of foetid flatus giving relief. Under the larger doses eructation and production of gas were somewhat less; on the other hand, tension in abdomen increased, and gripings set in after 5 – 6 hours, sometimes relieved by pappy stools, sometimes going off gradually of themselves. On some day 2 stools occurred, while on others, even when drug was taken, there was no evacuation, or at most a scanty hard one. When dose amounted to 6 gr. urine became scantier and darker coloured, its temperature increased, and smell was not disagreeably aromatic (not at all like that of rhubarb.) Along with this was pricking and slight shooting in urethra. The dose of 26 gr. produced, besides increase of the above phenomena, feeling of indisposition. Soon after taking the subsequent doses there occurred disgust and nausea, oppression of stomach, rumbling in bowels, disagreeable pasty taste, frequent spitting of fine frothy white fluid, with diminished appetite; urine scanty, reddish brown, cloudy, and hotter; stools rather increased, always pappy, never serous, with some tenesmus. At other times there was observed frequent palpitation and oppression of chest; pulse fuller and quicker, especially towards night; irritable disposition. The last two doses of 36 and 38 gr. increased first – mentioned symptoms to a great degree. Actual vomiting would have occurred, had he not repressed it by a great effort; the distended abdomen was painful to touch; there occurred shooting pains in right hypochondrium, tormina in umbilical region; emission of flatus with relief; increased evacuations; dark urine. Besides these, general feeling of indisposition; shuddering; fatigue of limbs; tension in back; anorexia; confusion of head; excitement in vascular system; irritability of temper. These symptoms gradually disappeared; motions became hard and infrequent; urine remained for a day of darker colour. In 3 day all was normal. (Wiener Zeitschr. day k. k. Gesell., 1846, p.400.)
3. In doses of 20 – 60 gr. Rh. operates, slowly and mildly, as a purgative, sometimes causing slight griping. It never inflames the mucous membrane of the alimentary canal. Constipation follows its cathartic effect. (PEREIRA, op. cit.)
4. The operation commences in 4 – 8 hours after medicine has been taken. The stools are loose, but not of watery consistence. (PHILIPS, op. cit.).
Experiments on animals
1. ROHRIG finds that Rh, given to fasting dogs, greatly increases all the constituents of the bile, though it either fail to pure or purge very slightly; and Rutherford verifies this observation. (RINGER, 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.