Introduction
Root of Smilax officinalis, Humb.. and Bonpl., and other species of Smilax. Nat. Ord., Smilacea.
Provings
I. HAHNEMANN, Mat. Medorrhinum Pura, vol. iv of original, vol. ii of translation. Contains 34 symptoms from self, and 111 from four others.
2. IBID., Chronic Diseases, part v of original, vol. of translation. Contains the above, with additions from Nenning and Schreter (561 symptoms in all).
3. Dr. CROKER took repeated doses of tinct., without effect save numbness of fingers, especially 3rd and 4th of both hands. He found also that he could go all day fasting while under influence of drug. (BERRIDGE, N. Am. Journ. of Hom., 1872, p. 101.)
3. Mr. R. M. THEOBALD took 10 dr. of tinct. at bedtime. Woke at 1 a. m. with sharp cutting pain under thumb-nail of one hand, and afterwards of the other. Had a hurried action of the bowels before breakfast. (IBID., Am. Obs., 1875, p. 305.)
4. Miss -, aet. 12. On Ist day took 10 dr. of tinct. at 9:30 a. m. In 5 m. slight giddiness and heat all over as if from a close air (it was a cold rainy day). In an hours aching pain in centre of chest, inclined to keep still in order to relieve it. At 1 p. m. twitching of right side of upper lip. 2nd to 4th day – Took 10 to 20 dr. In evening of 4th day bleeding from right nostril on blowing nose, light – coloured blood. In m. very much burning in oesophagus. 5th day. – Took 30 dr. 6th day – Woke with fishy disagreeable taste in mouth, and dry obstruction of right nostril. Took 2 doses of 20 and 40 dr. 8th day-Headache in each temple; wanted to lie down. 10th day-Phlegm in throat all day which she could not detach or swallow. Coryza, especially on right side. 4th day-Bleeding from left nostril when blowing nose. Mucus in throat tasting like blood. (Ibid.).
Poisonings
I. A family of 4 children, who had for some time been taking “Bristol’s Sarsaparilla” in teaspoonful doses n. and m., were attacked with herpes. In one it appeared as two small irregular shaped patches, 1/2 inch or more in diameter, commencing beneath labial commissure and spreading towards mesial line of chin. The crusts were thick and of a dirty yellowish – brown, colour, surrounded by an inflamed areola and suppurating border. In a week the two patches had coalesced, and covered entire chin. Several patches had also appeared on hip, extending from anterior iliac spine backwards and upwards towards lumbar region. The crusts had been detached by contact with the clothing, leaving an angry inflamed appearance. Eruption continued to spread for 2 mos.; itching was very troublesome and persistent. Another boy had a well – defined patch of herpes phlyctenoides, as large as palm, on left side of neck from ear in front to the spine behind. The other two children had small irregular patches on left arm and face, and wherever skin was abraded on hands suppurating pustules were to be seen. The three last children rapidly recovered under a few doses of camphor. The first one was left untreated and took longer to recover. (Dr. H. C. ALLEN, Am. Obs., 1874, p. 234.)
2. S. has nauseating, drowsy, and racking effects. A negro took infusion from 3iv of Rio Negro S. It caused nausea and great prostration of strength, and a degree of torpor which caused him to lie on the ground unwilling to move or get up. He said it “made him sick as death, and broke all his bones.” Pulse was, but only a little, retarded. (HANCOCK, Trans. of Roy. Medico-Botan. Soc., 1829, p. 61.)
3. S. from the Smilax aspera causes a gnawing hungry sensation abundant diuresis; tightness or pain in head (ASHBURNER, Lond. Medorrhinum Gaz., 1853, xii, 350.)
4. HJORT observed, as the effects of a saturated decoction, nausea, anorexia, constriction of throat, heaviness of limbs, weariness, and headache. (STILLE, op. cit.)
5. In several cases I have given the powdered root in very large doses, in order to ascertain its effects. Nausea, vomiting and temporary loss of appetite were alone observed. (PEREIRA, 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.