4. PATZE took 3j of powdered ergot. In 1/4 hours peculiar taste in mouth, as if he had smoked a long time, or taken some ethereal oil; therewith peculiar feeling of lightness in head, particularly of occiput. After 1/2 hours more, strong dragging in spermatic cord, so that testicles seemed drawn up to inguinal ring; this lasted 1/2 h. At same time unpleasant pressure at stomach, which increased to such an extent as to obstruct breathing; therewith strong desire to eat. After 1 hours great sleepiness. Sleep during following n. disturbed by anxious dreams. Next m. head confused; tongue covered with dry, tenacious, whitish-yellow coating; pain in stomach very tormenting, attended with pyrosis; face pale and collapsed. In course of day feeling of insensibility on front of thigh and on calf, and of painful creeping in finger-tips. Bowels somewhat confined. Symptoms increased for 4 day, and head became so giddy and sight and hearing so clouded that he could hardly walk. He had frequent eructations of offensive flatus; pain in stomach and heartburn were most distressing; much sour-tasting salivation; epistaxis. Countenance took on an earthy appearance; eyes were deep sunk in head; and skin, usually inclined to perspire, was constantly quite dry. Stool occurred on 4th day for first time since taking drug. (Medorrhinum Zeit. V. f. Heilk. in Preuss., 1844, p. 69; from Frank’s Mag., i, 129.)
5. PAROLA took 20 gr. of powdered ergot. In an hours he had nausea, heaviness of head, painful constriction of epigastrium; a cold shudder ran through limbs; muscular inactivity, to such a degree that he found it difficult to use his fingers; pulse sank from 74 to 62. He continued in this state for 3 hours; pulse was at one time as low as 60. (Gaz. Medorrhinum, 1844, No. 19.)
6. A man, aet. 24, free from all ailment, pulse 67, resp. 20, received 30 gr. In 2 hours he complained of feeling weary, shivered, skin grew cold, breathing oppressed, pulse feeble and slow (60), countenance pale, pupils enlarged. An equal dose next day produced same effects, but more coldness and lassitude; pulse was 58, resp. 15. Weakness and slow pulse continued for 2 day after. (Ibid.)
7. A student in pharmacy, well save for some enlargement of left ventricle, took 10 gr. of ergotin (Wiggers) on June 3rd, 12 gr. on 6th, and 7th 3 gr. of the resinous extract. His pulse, which was 67, hard and full, fell after Ist dose to 61, after 2nd to 60, and became more and more compressible. After 3rd dose a remarkable change took place; he became altogether feeble, as if he had been bled, pulse was only 46, face pale and sunken. (Ibid.)
8. SCHROFF observed that pure ergotin, in doses of gr. 1/2 to gr. j, produced fulness of head, headache, and dilatation of pupils, followed by colic and retardation of pulse. (REIL’s Mat. Medorrhinum d. rein. chem. Pflanzenstoffe, p. 166; from Stille.)
9. a. At noon, pulse being 84, took 1 grm. 50 centigr. of the powdered ergot. From 1 p. m. the pulse, taken every 1/4 hours, showed the following changes; 76, 74, 72, 68, 70, 68, 66, 64, 62, 62, 64, 64, 64. The last number persisted till 6 p. m. It felt softer and more compressible than usual. At 3 p. m. some heaviness in forehead, which did not last long. Some borborygmus and eructation of wind with smell of ergot; slight transient colics in abdomen. Urine considerably increased, clear and acid. In 4 similar experiments, each made at 10 day interval, the average pulse, which was before the experiment 84, was as follows: 80, 80, 78, 78, 76, 76, 74, 76, 74, 72, 72, 70, 70.
9 b. At 1 p.m., the pulse being 84, took 3 pills, each containing 30 centigr. of the extract. The pulse then fell as follows: 80, 80, 76, 72, 70, 68, 66, 64, 60, 60. 5 hours after the dose some borborygmus. Not such tranquil sleep at n. as usual. Next m. some slight colic, followed by 2 stools. (ARNAL, Bull. gen. de. Theridion, xxxvi, 534.)
10. Ergot was under observation on three occasions, doses being from 3ss to 3j of the fluid extr. With 3j doses, the effect on the vascularity were in the direction of diminution, as with quinine. Thus, to quote from our notes taken at the time, “in one hours, right disc decidedly paler, with retina also of paler tint, left also paler. Almost complete sleep produced.” Again, “in 20 m. r. disc paler, on apparent inner side decidedly, on outer side a little. L. eye altogether a little paler.” An hours after administration, retina and discs of both eyes decidedly pale, and this specially observable in r.” “In 1 1/2 hours retinae not quite so pale; discs same as before. Subject of experiment very sleepy. With 3ss doses the results were more equivocal, a transitory paleness appearing, however, to be produced about an hours after administration. (NICOL and MOSSOP, “Action of certain neurotics on Cerebral Circulation,” as observed with ophthalmoscope in fundus oculi. (Brit. and For. M. – Ch. Rev., 1, 203.)
11. COTTMANN experimented on strong healthy lunatics, with 3j-3ss doses. A diminution in the frequency of the pulse, and, in several, of its volume, were the only phenomena observed, except in 3 cases; in these it produced slight nausea, but no vomiting; in 2 others, to whom it had been given the day before, violent emesis was produced in the course of 1 h. When administered in 3ss doses, it either produced nausea, and consequently sedation, or diminished the frequency of the pulse without nauseating, in 25-30 m. When given in 3j doses, it appeared to excite rather than diminish the pulse in that time; but in 15 or 20 m. more the pulse lost a few beats, but not to the same extent as when larger doses were given. (Brit. and For. M. – Ch. Rev., ix, 563. 1840.)
12. DE GRAVINA swallowed 24 gr. in powder, which in 3/4 hours produced sense of weight at epigastrium, which, slight at first, became in a short time very painful. This was followed by nausea and eructations having the odour of the ergot, and terminated in attempts to vomit. Face became very pale, and skin cold (especially on face); there was great oppression of head with incapacity for mental exertion, apathy, and feeling of complete prostration and vertigo on walking across room. Pulse, which before experiment was 65, fell to 54, and became small; resp. decreased from 18 to 13. There was complete disgust for food, with occasional feeling of coldness at stomach, which thence pervaded whole frame. All these symptoms were removed and a voracious appetite excited by taking a glass of strong wine. (B. and F. M. – Ch. Rev., x, 555. 1840.)
13. JORG experimented on himself and pupils. When taken in large doses S. was always found to produce nausea and vomiting, pains in abdomen and diarrhoea, weight and pain in head, and vertigo, with general malaise and depression. (Gebrauch innerer Reizmittel zur Beford. der Geburt des kindes. Zeitz, 1833.)
14. a. Dr. GIBBON gave 16 gr. of powdered ergot in decoction to a man whose pulse was 64, sitting (which position he maintained). In 20 m. it was 58, moderately full; in 30 m., 48, small; in 45 m., same; after this it slowly rose.
14b. Same man, pulse 60, took 3j. In 25 m. pulse was 52, full and tense; 35 – 45 m., 51. It then slowly rose.
14 c. Took 3j, pulse 64. In 20 m. pulse was 52; in 30m; 46 slight nausea; in 40 m., 45, nausea increased; 5 m. later vomiting occurred, after which pulse rose to 60, but 1 hours after dose it was only 46. (Amer. Journ. of Medorrhinum Sc., 1844, i, 244.)
15. a. Dr G. himself now took 10 gr. of an aqueous extract, pulse being 70. In 30 m. it was 60, and in 1 1/2 hours 57.
15b. Same took 30 dr. of oil, which reduced pulse from 70 to 56. Tincture had less effect. (Ibid.)
16. a. Dr. H. Gross took at 9 a. m. 3j of ergot in powder. After 1 hours felt heat in gastric region, increased flow of saliva, and occasional eructation, soon after this great dryness of mouth and nose, not relieved by drinking water; confusion of head, vertigo, and moderate pain in scrob. cordis. These symptoms increased rapidly, the confusion of head became violent headache, and there were ineffectual efforts to vomit. Food excited loathing, a few mouthfuls of it caused inclination to vomit. After 2 hours felt better, but there remained to next day headache and exhaustion.
16b. A friend took the same dose at same time. At 10 a. m. he had increased secretion of saliva, nauseous taste, frequent eructation and slight confusion of head. Soon these symptoms increased, the saliva flowed into mouth in such great quantities that the mouth was always full of it, at same time heartburn, inclination to vomit, and violent headache. A walk relieved the symptoms, and in 1 hours they were all gone, and he could eat his dinner with appetite.
16 c. A repetition of the drug caused the same symptoms, only more severely. The nausea was great, and there ensued vomiting, which relieved the symptoms, but all next day there was slight loathing, exhaustion, and headache.
16 d. Two day later they both ate 3ij of bread made or pure ergot at 9 a. m. Whilst chewing it G. felt loathing and inclination to vomit, he had to drink much water and make a great effort to prevent vomiting. After 1 hours heat and redness of face, increased secretion of saliva, moderate pain in scrob. cordis, and quickened pulse; shortly afterwards dryness of mouth and nose, nausea, and headache. These symptoms soon disappeared, and he could eat his dinner at 1 o’clock as usual. The friend experienced identical symptoms. (H. GROSS, Medorrhinum Zeitung preussens, xiv, 59. 1846.)
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.