Saponinum


Proving Symptoms of homeopathy medicine Saponinum, described by Richard Hughes in his book, A Cyclopedia of Drug Pathogenesis, published in 1895….


Introduction

Glucoside found in Senega, Saponaria, and other plants (known also as polygaline, senegine, &c.), C32H54O18.

Provings

I. SCHROFF found S. produce, in man, in doses of gr. 1/3 to gr. iij, a certain amount of nausea, with bitter taste and prickling in mouth. From the larger doses (2 1/2 – 3 gr.) irritative cough also resulted, and secretion of mucus in bronchial tubes lasting several h. There was no effect on kidneys or skin. (Lehrb. d. Pharmakologie, sub voce.)

2. Dr. D -, in excellent health, took, June 11th, 1874, a dose of 3rd dil. at 1 p. m. At 3, experienced sudden pain in left arm about insertion of deltoid; arms seem weak, with desire to let them drop down at side, muscles feeling exhausted as after lifting heavy weights by one unaccustomed to it. An hours later, numbness and tingling in 3rd and 4th left fingers, extending up palm; and same sensation in soles, which are hotter than usual. 6:30, another dose. Dull aching in lumbo – sacral region and down thighs and calves, with increased tingling in soles; symptoms more marked while sitting. 12th. – Slept well all n., still some weakness in hands and feet; soles sore, swollen, and tender, with slight tingling. Took another dose at 8 a. m. 9:30, tingling, tickling, and formication here and there all over body. Tonsils are swollen and of a bright red colour, with dysphagia. 11, took another dose. Painful stitches in left hypochondrium; exhausted weary feeling in limbs, with very slight inclination to nausea; head feels heavy; lassitude very marked, especially in legs, but it is not felt while walking in open air. 3 p. m., still weakness of legs, better when sitting down quietly, but numbness is then more felt. 6th, took another dose. Throat inflamed and swollen; insipid taste in mouth; tongue coated yellowish – white at back, red at tip and edges, raised papilla on it, especially at tip; sense of roughness in mouth, and same felt on tongue (with slight tenderness) on pressing it against hard palate. Medicine was now omitted, owing to throat feeling so bad; and symptoms gradually subsided. (Dr. ARTHUR T. HILLS’ provings, Trans. of. N. Y. State Hom. Medorrhinum Soc., 1875, p. 104.)

3. Miss P – took dose of 12th dil. at 10 p. m. one Monday, and at 7 a. m. on following m. About 9 a. m. came on severe headache, outward – pressing in both temples, with throbbing, dull and heavy in forehead. Soon after felt severe dull pain in small of back, and sense of weight there, as if all her clothing was hanging from it; this sense of weight extended even to knees. The jar of riding in the cars increased both pains. Headache gradually disappeared during m., but pain in back continued; and when out walking p. m. back and limbs felt very tired and feet quite heavy. Rest took off the fatigue, but not the pain, which prevented her standing erect. Pressure on sacrum relieved. Several times during day had slight nausea, with pale face; and about 6 p. m. had a sharp but transient chill. Woke very early on the Wednesday. Headache was quite severe during m., with nausea; pain in back still present, but less. Found at n. between scapula circular patches of eruption, size of a dollar, feeling like small grains under skin; no pain or itching; these continued, gradually disappearing, for about 24 d. Constipation and distension of abdomen, continuing 8 – 10 day; scanty stool of this day whitish in colour. Woke early next 2 m., and on Friday and Saturday felt very unsettled and cross, and this mental disturbance did not entirely subside till after a fortnight. ( Ibid.)

4. P. R – took one dose of 30th. About 1 hours after had the most severe headache she ever experienced, with throbbing in carotids, hot head and face, dry skin and throat; pain was mainly on left side, involving eyebrow, inner canthus of eye, nose half – way down, and mastoid cells. Three hours later, pulse had risen (from 70) to 90. She remained in high fever for 4 hours, head feeling as if something would press out, worse from stooping and movement, better from bathing it in cold water. Urine copious and high – coloured.

5. P. H.M – took 6 doses of 1x trit. during 3 day. without effect. On 4th day took 12th dil. at 9:30 a. m. During afternoon became extremely restless, must move about or keep hands or feet “on the go; ” at same time mind seemed clouded, could not see clearly, and felt indifferent to all going on around her. In evening and n. frequent micturition, little urine at a time but total quantity above normal, pale in colour. Next m. all symptoms gone. Three day later repeated dose with like effect, though less marked.

6. S. B.P – took 30th. On day after, peculiar taste in mouth on waking; dry and burning lips; pain in temples, dull in right, sharp in l. All 2nd day dull frontal headache; sharp but short – lasting pain in right renal region, while walking; small angry pustules on chest. On 3rd day headache extreme, with lachrymation; involuntary emission of urine while walking; lancinating lumbar pains, worse on movement; pain in bones of left forearm and in left groin. (Ibid.)

7. A medical student, et. 25, of nervous temp. but in good health, took dose of 2nd trit. at 10 a. m. and at noon. Depression of spirits all day and deficient memory; urine more copious than usual. Took another dose at midnight. Sleep disturbed by dreams; dreamt of urinating. Above symptoms were repeated for 3 day, and then passed off. (Ibid.)

8. Dr. W – took 12th dil. 3 times for 3 d. After a dose at n. and next m. at 10 a. m., headache in both temples as if they were being pressed outwards. On following day, p. m., similar feeling in occiput, and on 3rd day over right eye. Headache lasted about an hours each time. (Ibid.)

9. A.B. C – took 12th dil. at 11:40 p. m. At 5, pain over right eye. Very sleepy in evening, retired early, n. restless. On getting up in m. slight headache over eyes, dull “sleepy” pain; some catarrh. Symptoms soon passed away. (Ibid.)

10. a. Miss J. A.A – took 3rd dil. 3 times a day from June 23rd, without symptoms till 27th, when about 3 a. m. she had quite severe but short – lasting colic. On rising, about 6, was attacked with same pain so severely that she want back to bed again; it was a steady pain all over abdomen; no flatulence. It passed off this time in about 1/2 hours, and returned slightly for last time that n. at retiring. Continued medicine till Aug. Ist without further effect save two daily evacuations instead of one, and delay (for a week) and diminution of catamenia.

10 b. Sept. 4th, about a week after menses, commenced a second proving by taking Ist trit. 3 times a day. No marked symptoms occurred, but menses this time came on a week too soon. On 22nd began taking 1x trit. Only effect was severe smarting of throat on taking first dose, lasting an hours or two. (Ibid.)

11. a. Dr. W. P.F – took, Dec. 28th, two doses of 30th without effect. 29th.. Repeated dose at 9 a. m. At 11 had a slight chill, accompanied by sensation of faintness, former soon passing off but latter remaining for some h. At time of chill there was dull pain and feeling of constriction in left chest. 30th – Repeated dose at 9 a. m., and at 11 had a slight chill without faintness on constriction. He continued to take daily dose of 30th till Jan. 6th, but no other symptoms occurred.

11 b. On Jan. 6th, at 6 p. m., took dose of Ist trit. In 1/2 hours constrictive scraping sensation in vault of pharynx, with fine sharp pain in right infra – orbital nerve. These symptoms continued for about 1 hours, and then passed off. 7th. – Repeated dose at 4 p. m. In 1/2 hours dull heavy pain in both temples, with the scraping, sensation in pharynx. In evening., sensation of fullness in eyes. 8th. – Pain in temples passed off during night; but recurred, with pharyngeal scraping, after another dose at 4 p. m. 9th. – Same symptoms as yesterday. 10th. – Took a dose at 10 a. m. In 1/2 hours raw sensation in pharynx, with scraping; dull pain at root of nose and in temples, lasting 2 hours 11th. – Took powder at 6 p. m., soon followed by dull pain in temples and root of nose; raw sensation in pharynx. 12th. – 15th. – Took a dose daily, but no symptoms showed themselves. 11c. Took 12th dil. 3 times daily from 16th to 18th. 16th. – At 4 p. m. profuse diarrheic stool, painless but urgent; at 8 another loose passage. 17th. – Diarrhea, with some colic after a passage; dull pain in temples, worse at n. 18th – Heavy dull pain in temples, with sense of exhaustion; 3 stools between 2 and 4 p. m., dull pain about navel after each. 19th. – Exhaustion, with weak pulse and dull pain in temples, worse p.m.; diarrhea as on previous d. On 20th and 21st there was no action of bowels; pain in temples was declining on 20th, and exhaustion on 21st. ( Ibid.)

12. H – took 12th dil. 3 times one d. After 2nd dose dull pain all through head, followed by sleepy condition all afternoon. At n. felt very sleepy, but could not sleep, and was very restless till m. Took then one more dose. P. m., had dull aching in pectoral muscles, and pain at insertion of biceps; muscles sore on pressure. (Ibid.)

Richard Hughes
Dr. Richard Hughes (1836-1902) was born in London, England. He received the title of M.R.C.S. (Eng.), in 1857 and L.R.C.P. (Edin.) in 1860. The title of M.D. was conferred upon him by the American College a few years later.

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.