Introduction
Alkaloid obtained from Sanguinaria, C19H17NO4 (said to be identical with the “Chelerythrin” of Chelidonium).
Provings
I. a. I have repeatedly witnessed all the effects of S. root, save the neuralgic pains and the convulsive affections, from the use of tartrate of sanguinarine. In large doses at once, or large quantities in the 24 hours, it produces vertigo, dilatation of pupils appearance of a cloud before the sight, staring and protrusion of eyes, peculiar haggard expression of countenance, nausea, epigastric uneasiness, coldness of surface, particularly of extremities, cold sweats, irregularity and diminished frequency of pulse. From a single large dose, these symptoms begin in course of 1/2 hours, and disappear entirely in about 3 h.
1 b. After trying various doses, Dr. Terry took 3j at once, with production of all the preceding symptoms. The mydriasis was very great, the strongest sunlight being incapable of producing the least contraction. While effects were at their maximum pulse was preternaturally full and flowing, without bounding, hardness, or any sign of irritation. About 20 hours after, stool passed in which there was a very unusual quantity of bright yellow bile. (TULLY, loc. cit.)
2. In doses of gr. 1/2 – 1/8, S. acts simply as an “expectorant,” without disturbing the stomach. In those of gr. 1/6 – 1/4 every 2 hours, it produces nausea and sometimes vomiting. In those of gr. 1/2 in solution every 10 m., it almost uniformly causes vomiting after second or third dose. In those of gr. 1/8 – 1/6 every 3 hours, continued for 2 days or more, it generally reduces pulse by 5-15 beats per m. (THOMAS, Proc. of Amer. Medorrhinum Assoc., 1863, p. 219.)
3. J. H. W – proved nitrate of S., in 3x trit. He is 44, stout, and usually healthy. Dec. 12th, 1877, at 10 a. m. took a grain dry on tongue, which caused bitter taste and acrid burning. In 15 m. observed water trickling from right nostril. Pain was soon felt in right eyeball, a sore aching, extending to supra- orbital region, then across forehead and to root of nose; watery mucus flowed freely from both nostrils, attended by violent sneezing every few m., with profuse lachrymation, dimness of sight as if he looked through gauze or mist, redness and soreness of inner corners of eyes, which feel swollen, tears flowed over cheek. In 4 hours secretions of nose, eyes, mouth and throat had considerably increased. Heat and burning of these parts (without thirst) was very marked. 2:30 p. m., repeated dose, with same local effects, which passed off in 15 – 20 m. There was increased flow of mucus and saliva, with sneezing and burning pain in forehead and root of nose, aching and soreness of eyeballs, increased lachrymation; pain became more severe on left side of head, and there was slight aching, with soreness, all over head and scalp. 3:30, obstruction of nostrils, with soreness, roughness and rawness of right tonsil, which became painful and caused dysphagia, obstruction of Eustachian tube, difficulty in distinguishing sounds, roaring in right ear. 9, took a third dose. This time affection of nostrils and eyes seemed continuous with the local effects of the drug. Mucus from nose thicker, having sweetish taste and yellow colour; throat very uncomfortable. Retired at 10 and slept poorly; restless from feverishness and irritable condition; nothing but a red and irritable spot visible in throat. In m. raised great quantities of thick, yellow, sweet-tasting mucus; this continued all day, as did sore throat, but latter was better towards e. In 6 days all symptoms had disappeared. (OWENS, Trans. of Amer. Inst. of Hom., 1878, p. 248.)
4. S. G. W -, a healthy woman of 23, took 1 gr. of same at 10 a. m. In 1/2 hours burning in both nostrils, with watery secretion from them; pain in left eyeball extending above orbit and to left side of head; drawing in left temple. In 2 hours watery discharge from nose and had increased, attended with sneezing, burning had extended into forehead and probably frontal sinuses; eye were suffused with tears, which flowed down right cheek; redness of lids and conjunctiva. At 2 p. m. repeated dose, which was followed immediately by marked acrid effect on mouth; burning in nostrils; pain in eyeballs as if sore, and aching and pressure in eyes. There was heat and tension behind mid-sternum; sense of tightness in chest, inducing short hacking cough; she occasionally raises thin frothy mucus, which is very tenacious; burning in oesophagus and stomach. At 6 p. m. took a third dose, and at 10 a fourth. After former, watery coryza was greatly increased, also the burning of the mucous membranes; borborygmus and pain in abdomen, as if diarrhoea would set in. After last dose there was greater sense of dryness; cough became harsh, leaving soreness and rawness in throat and chest, with scraping raw sensation in pharynx; eructation of putrid flatus, though she had eaten nothing since m. She passed urine nearly every hours during night; by m. quantity was found to be 28 oz., and a whitish sediment was deposited. There was also during n. frequent borborygmus with sharp cutting pain, as if stool or flatus would pass. As soon as she began to move in m. she raised a quantity of thick, yellow, sweetish – tasting mucus; this continued all day, with great apparent dryness of nose and throat. For 8 days more there was free discharge of same mucus from nose and air- passages, and slight dizziness therewith. (Ibid.)
5. Dr. OWENS (who personally observed the above), aet. 55, stout and healthy, inhaled an extremely minute quantity of the finely-powdered nitrate. It caused all the catarrhal symptoms experienced by the previous provers, with the aching in eyeballs and left side of head, in him associated with stiffness in muscles of left neck and shoulder, as if from exposure to cold or damp. This was in Feb., 1878. In Nov., 1877, he proved 3x trit. like the others, taking 1 gr. three times a d. Effects were identical, and did not extend beyond head and upper air-passages, save that after Ist n. urine showed a bright yellow sediment. (Ibid.).
Experiments on animals
I. a. Dr. R. M. SMITH found the most marked feature in poisoning by S. to be complete prostration and adynamia, usually preceded by a state of excitement, in which occur clonic convulsions. In cold – blooded animals a small dose produces first hurried breathing and mydriasis; breathing then becomes slower, and convulsions usually occur, or a spasmodic rigidity of all the limbs takes their place. After a large dose the animal may pass into collapse immediately. On opening chest, heart is found either at rest in systole or beating feebly; it responds fully to electricity, but other muscles are more strongly irritable, save near point where poison was injected, where contractility is almost lost. Autopsy shows no lesion but venous congestion. In warm – blooded animals collapse always occurs sooner or later. hypodermic injection causes local irritation and muscular inco-ordination. if thrown into stomach, the poison causes nausea and vomiting, and in some even where it is given hypodermically emesis is produced. Profuse and long-continued salivation is a constant symptom. P. M. examination reveals no lesion but venous congestion and entire abolition of intestinal peristalsis. Pupils are dilated.
1 b. Dr. Smith now made numerous experiments with a view to ascertain the meaning of these and other phenomena. He arrives at the following conclusions: – (1) S. destroys life through paralysis of the respiratory centre; (2) its clonic convulsions are of spinal origin; (3) it has no effect on motor or sensory nerves; (4) its adynamia and prostration result from its depressing action on the spinal ganglia and the muscles; (5) it decreases reflex excitability through irritation of Setschenoff’s centre, and by ultimate paralysis (from large doses) of the spinal ganglia; (6) it produces in mammalia fall of pulse and blood-pressure-with latter preceded by temporary rise if small doses are given, such fall being due to paralysis (after, it may be, primary irritation of the vaso – motor centre and of the heart itself, probably of its muscular tissue; (7) it slows respiration by prolonging pause after expiration, and this from loss of tonus of respiratory centre (here again small doses show primarily opposite effects); (8) it always dilates pupils and lower temp.; (9) it diminishes muscular contractility when introduced into circulation, and completely paralyses striped muscular fibre when applied locally. (Lond. Medorrhinum Record, 1879, p. II.).
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.