Introduction
Sambucus nigra and canadensis, L. Elder. Nat. Ord., Caprifoliacea.
Provings
I. HAHNEMANN, Mat. Medorrhinum Pura, vol. v of original, vol. ii of translation. Contains 20 symptoms from self, and 99 from 5 others (from S. nigra).
2. a. Dr. A. UEBELACKER took 20 dr. of tinct. of buds, flowers, tender shoots, and leaves of S. canadensis. After 1 Hour, while driving out, there came on severe drawing in head, with fullness, motion causing feeling as if something were undulating therein, with unusual depression of spirits and undefinable apprehension; face was flushed, and mouth so dry and parched that he had to stop at a farmhouse and ask for a drink. After 2 hours back felt as if sprained; pressure in renal region, followed by frequent and profuse flow of clear urine; unaccountable heaviness and constriction in chest, as if a heavy load were pressing on it; heart began to labour heavily, and palpitation set in; sense of oppression made him gasp for breath at times; breathing was laboured as in asthma. After 3 hours perspiration, soon becoming profuse, which gradually relieved all symptoms; pulse had risen to 100, but became normal after the sweating. Next day took 50 dr. After 1/2 hours same drawing and fullness in head, followed by sharp darting pains through it. After 1 hour pain in back; sharp darting pains in hand and feet; frequent urination; oppression of chest and labouring palpitation of heart, as on Ist day; face was so flushed that a friend meeting him on the road said, “Doctor, you’d better go home; your face is all broken out in blotches, and you look bad.” Then came profuse sweat, with relief of all symptoms save feeling of exhaustion, which remained all the rest of d. On 3rd day again took 50 dr. at bedtime. After 1 1/2 hours was aroused from sleep by terrible constriction of chest and heart, had to jump up in bed to get his breath, and could not lie down for fear of choking; there was also pressure in lumbar region, frequent urination, and darting pains in hand and feet. Profuse perspiration (less on head than elsewhere) again relieved all symptoms.
2 b. A week later prover took 20 dr one day and 30 dr. two day later. All symptoms recurred; also throat and mucous lining of larynx and trachea felt dry and swollen, impeding free respiration; urine showed albumen to nitric acid test; respiration wheezing; there was feeling of soreness in chest and over heart, and in attack there was sharp pain in heart, which at times worked so strongly as to be perceptible through chest.
During all the provings a feeling of uneasiness and unrest was a very marked symptom. (ALLEN’S Encyclopaedia viii, 476.)
3. Aug. 22nd, 7 a. m., took 1/2 teaspoonful of tinct. From 11 a. m. several thin slimy stools, with much wind; urging immediately after a stool; abdomen distended, pressure in stomach and umbilical region. 9 p. m., the last thin stool. (LEMBKE, A. h. Z., xlix, 179.).
Poisonings
I. A weakly woman, aet. 54, who had been sick all day, was persuaded by her husband to take 2 tablespoonfuls of juice of fresh root, which he himself had dug up, shaved down, and pressed. The woman soon after complained of severe pain in abdomen, and bowels began almost immediately to act copiously. Next day symptoms were those of enteritis, which proved fatal. No autopsy. (TAYLOR, op. cit.)
2. a. In afternoon of May 17th, 1828, two boys ate, one the flowers, the other the flowers and leaves, of the common elder. The first, aet. 8, was well enough when returning home to dinner 2 hours afterwards, but during meal began to complain of severe griping. In evening griping continued, he became also hot and feverish, and had excessive tenderness over whole belly. Next m. symptoms were unabated, belly excessively tender, tormina recurring violently every 1/2 hours, mouth and throat sore. On m. of 19th vomiting set in, which towards evening was tinged with blood. He was taken to hospital on 20th, and on 21st was found with above symptoms; occasional hiccup; pulse 140, full and rather sharp; tongue furred in centre, and skin rather hot. Antiphlogistics and aperients relieved, and by June Ist he was well save for weakness.
2 b. Brother, aet. II, did not complain till n., when he had violent headache; next m. was very giddy on rising, and this increased to staggering during forenoon. A laxative caused vomiting and purging; but headache returned violently at n., and on m. of 18th he was still so giddy that he could not walk. In course of day he got gradually better, and next m. was quite well. (CHRISTISON, Ed. Medorrhinum and Surg. Journ., xxxiii, 73.).
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.