17. Dr. HOOKER proved oil of ergot (obtained by macerating powder in sulphuric ether, decanting and evaporating).
17a. A medical student, aet. 19, took 3ss at 2 p. m., just after a plentiful dinner, pulse being 82, resp. 19. In 7 m. he felt agreeable sensation in head, as from ether, followed by unpleasant feeling of weight and confusion, most in occiput. In 30 m. he complained, while riding of sensations resembling those of sea – sickness and amounting to positive nausea; their seat seemed not to be in stomach, but higher up and towards back. He now felt general languor and lassitude, and had constant inclination to spit; also sensations before eyes as if it lightened. The disagreeable feelings were at their height 45 m. after taking drug. At 3 he took 3j. In less than 7 m. came the pleasant feeling in head, with general exhilaration, dispersing temporarily the previous symptoms, which, however, soon returned in increased intensity. He complained of painful stiffness in muscles, and extreme lassitude in lower limbs; skin was everywhere of somewhat livid hue; pupils were enlarged, and countenance wore a remarkably heavy and idiotic expression. In 40 m. after 2nd dose, pulse was 65, resp. 14. At 4 he again took 3j. Again the unpleasantness was dispelled, and again it returned. At 5 pulse was only 36, and feeble; resp. had sunk to 8, and were scarcely perceptible for their feebleness. Skin was pale, and when pressed with finger colour was long in returning. (From after 2nd dose, frequent and copious emission of urine had occurred.) Sleep in n. was quite sound.
17 b. Analogous effects were observed in the case of another student, aet 20. In both effects lasted a week. For 3 day pulse continued under 50; pupils were dilated, breathing slow, skin livid; there was want of appetite, general lassitude, stiffness of limbs, and feeling of soreness in muscles of lower extremities.
17 c. H. gave same to 6 women in labour, in 30-75 dr. doses. He could not perceive any effect on uterine contractions, but found that the children presented for some time after birth a livid appearance, great irregularity and difficulty in breathing, and other characteristic signs of ergotism. On administering simple decoction of S.in full doses to two other young men none of the above effects ensued; and, given in labour, it promoted uterine contractions, and exerted no narcotic influence on mothers or children. (Bost Medorrhinum and Surg. Journ., x, 298.)
18 GLOCKE gave to a healthy woman, aet. 32, who had had children, a few day before period, 30 dr. of oil. Pulse was 83, resp. 22. In 5 m. feeling of pleasant buoyancy, followed in 20 m. by nausea and unpleasant feelings in stomach and bowels; then violent pain in hepatic region and hypogastrium, collection of saliva in mouth, and want of readiness in executing muscular movements. Head, too, was uncomfortable, and she fancied she saw sparks flitting before her eyes; face was pale; shuddering at intervals. In 1/2 hours symptoms began to abate; in an hours pulse was 55, resp. 17. She now took 60 dr. In 5 m. transient exhilaration; soon nausea, giddiness, confusion of thought, going on increasing for 10 m., dull pain in back, cutting pain in whole body, especially in region of liver and in pelvis (but not resembling pains which precede labour); at same time a feeling beginning in back, and extending through arms to end of fingers, as if large portions of nervous fibre were compressed; pain shot from sacrum to thigh, and muscles began to stiffen. In 1/2 hours after 2nd dose pulse was 60, resp. 14; there was bluish look, cold skin, and dilated pupils. After 32 m. violent and repeated vomiting occurred, giving great relief. Next day she was tired, and averse to food. (Diss. de Secale corn., Dorpat, 1837.)
19. A lady, aet. 28, received, 2 hours after a meal, 8d. after a period, 3ij of ergot from which oil had been removed. After 12 m., inclination to vomit and slight accumulation of saliva; also gentle pressure in pelvic region, from sacrum to pubes, as in labour. Same effects followed 3j taken an hours later. (Ibid.)
20. (No information as to prover or dose). Confusion of head, after 1 h. Sad disposition. Great anxiety. Stupor. Great drowsiness. Very prostrated after sleep. Thinking power weakened. Disinclination to all work. Vertigo lasting 24 hours after the dose. Headache on left side. Pressure in eyeball. Frequent diplopia. Visual power much diminished. Roaring in ears. Dysecoia. Prickling in tongue. Taste very blunted. Violent burning in oesophagus. Frequent flow of saliva from mouth. Great thirst. Nausea lasting 24 hours after dose. Loathing. Frightful pains in stomach lasting 4 day after dose. Burning in urethra when urinating. Increased flow of urine. The urine has a copious red sediment, which stained the utensil. Frequent urging to urinate, which it requires some effort to pass. Bruised feeling in limbs, and difficulty of moving feet (A. h. Z., i, 27.).
Poisonings
I. Friday, Sept. 6th, 12 m., I was called in haste to attend Mrs. B -, aet. 22, nervo – bilious temperament, who was suffering, as her husband supposed, from fever and ague; but, on inquiry, I ascertained that in the 2 preceding day she had taken ergot with the intention of producing miscarriage. She had been married about 2 mo., and during that time having suffered from continued menstruation, which was unusual with her, she concluded that it was caused by pregnancy. She, therefore, by the advice of a female abortionist, and in the temporary absence of her husband, procured 3ss of pulv. ergotea, taking the whole at short intervals. On examination, I found the following symptoms; Rigors followed by heat and violent thirst; severe pain in back part of head; tongue heavily coated white; nausea and vomiting; diarrhea; violent pain in small of back, epigastric and hypogastric regions; severe pain in limbs; pains of expulsive character in uterus; giddiness and sensation as if about to fall on the slightest movement; crawling all over body; stammering and hesitation in answering questions. Same day, 9 p. m., Dr. W. H. Watson was called in consultation. On examination, per vaginum, found os tinea open so as to admit first phalanx of index finger, very sensitive to touch, hot and engorged, with profuse flowing. Patient was in great pain with muttering delirium, very restless, agitated and fearful of death. Pulse was depressed, very quick and fluttering, ranging to 120; tongue dry and brown at tip; urgent thirst with desire for acidulated drinks; urine scanty and dark coloured; frequent brown and slimy discharges from bowels; pain in head, still confined to occipital region; face flushed and livid at times; eyes wild and distorted, with pupils much dilated; marked hesitation in answering questions; constant moaning and swaying of arms to and from head; vomiting of dark brown slimy mucus, and also of everything taken into the stomach; abdomen tympanitic; respiration costal; weakness of memory; formication; inclination to sopor and desire to be left undisturbed. 7th, 10 a. m., patient no better, but symptoms somewhat relieved; great prostration, pulse 120, small and compressible; tongue coated with heavy brown fur and pointed at end; skin hot, dry, and of yellowish-brown colour, resembling that of a mulatto; eyes staring and wild, with dilatation of pupils; conjunctiva and sclerotic coat yellow and injected. Diarrhoea continued discharges from the bowels very foetid and dark coloured; discharges from vagina almost back, fluid and very foetid; exhalations from skin also foetid. Patient complained of great soreness all over body; could not lie with ease in any position, and could not be moved without taking hold of her hands; throat sore, with difficulty of swallowing; extremities livid, palms of a bluish colour, and formication all over body. 8 p. m., greater irritability of stomach, and more difficulty of retaining food and medicine than in morning; violent pain in stomach and bowels near the umbilicus; sore throat; inability to swallow while lying down; thirst less urgent; vaginal and urinary discharges of a dark wine or “prune juice” colour. 8th, 9 a. m., patient slept 1 1/2 hours in n., the first sleep she had enjoyed during her illness; pulse 110, somewhat fuller than day before; throat not as sore; more ease in swallowing; soreness of the body not diminished; urine very scanty, almost suppressed; tongue heavily coated with brownish fur, dry at tip and edges, stiff and swollen. Patient is very weak, cannot move herself in bed; vomited twice during night; loathes everything except sour drinks; has had no movement of the bowels or passage of urine during n. 7 p. m., symptoms still unfavourable; urine suppressed. On introducing catheter, about a gill of dark prune-coloured urine passed, which appeared to be full of gritty sediment and emitted a very disagreeable odour. Pulse 100, quite full; haemorrhage from nose; great thirst; desire for acids; skin dry, hot, and yellowish brown. 9th, 10th a. m., mind clear; great prostration; tongue dry and brown; pulse 96, quite full; great thirst and desire for sour drinks. Skin hot, dry and of yellowish brown colour, but not as dark as it was day before; urine suppressed, but on using catheter about a teaspoonful escaped, which was very dark and foetid, a few drops falling on the linen stained it dark brown; pain in vulva and region of kidneys. Said she had thought she could pass urine in n., but failed to do so. Percussion of abdomen over bladder showed that it contained no urine. Movement of bowels early in m. was more natural than before; soreness of body and throat slightly improved; bleeding at nose continues. 8 p. m., there is now some nausea and vomiting, in addition to above symptoms; haemorrhage at nose worse than before; drowsiness and inclination to sopor; urine suppressed, only a few drops having been passed during day 10th, 9 a. m., patient remains in about same condition as day before; urine suppressed; rumbling of wind in bowels; tenderness of vulva; exhalations from skin of a vinous odour; eyes sunken and surrounded with a blue margin, conjunctiva bright yellow, pupils but little dilated; unpleasant sensation in head but no pain; pulse 93, quite full; tongue dry, brown at tip and leaden – coloured at root; epistaxis; great thirst; nausea and vomiting; skin dry, hot and yellow. 8 p. m., pulse 90, full, but easily compressed. Passed 3 tablespoonfuls of urine by means of the catheter, of lighter colour than formerly; vomiting continued, of sour, dark green matter; sour eructations, singultus; vinous exhalations from skin; bowels constipated; tongue dry, coated a brownish leaden colour; great thirst and desire for sour drinks; bowels tympanitic; cutting pain and smarting in urethra, as if a knife were drawn through the parts, when attempting to urinate; very annoying pain in left shoulder. 11th, 9 a. m., pulse 90, appears to have more volume, but easily compressed; thirst and craving for acids, as before; tongue covered with a brownish, leaden-coloured coat in centre, red at tip and edges. Sensorium disturbed in night; could not get rid of the impression that there were two sick persons in the bed, one of whom recovered and the other did not. Vomited a pint of matter in m., very sour, and of dark green colour; procured a tablespoonful of urine by use of catheter; no movement from bowels; pain in vulva, and also in left shoulder; itching all over body; find clear; dizziness on moving head; skin hot and dry, but of better colour; eyes very yellow, pupils not as much dilated. Patient appears to have a little more strength. 8 p. m., pulse 100, not as full, and wiry; vomiting of green, sour mucus; passed a tablespoonful of urine containing albumen; great sensitiveness of bladder and ovarian region; pain in stomach and bowels; perspiration all over body except face; throbbing in head; sinking and sickness, oppression and heaviness, at stomach; skin of natural appearance on feet and hands; intense itching all over body; restlessness and drowsiness; constant sighing, singultus and sour eructations. 12th. 9 a. m., pulse 100, small and feeble; tongue red, but quite clean. Patient slept somewhat during n. and did not vomit until m. When rising up in bed, everything turns black before her eyes; great prostration; retching; vomiting of sour, green mucus; pain in stomach, bowels and vulva; soreness and throbbing heat in latter; dizziness of head on moving; heaviness of head; soreness, bloating and rumbling of wind in bowels; scanty discharges from bladder, of yellow colour, and very foetid; no movement of bowels; thirst, and sores on teeth. 4 and 8 p. m., pulse fuller, with more volume; passed two or three tablespoonfuls of urine, which was shown by testing to contain a large amount of albumen; vomited dark green and sour mucus, containing shreds of disorganized membrane; pain and soreness in stomach, bowels and vulva; singultus; borborygmus; tongue clean, very dry and red at tip; great thirst, and dryness of mouth and throat, with burning and tingling of tongue; sensation as of boiling water running from vulva up to mouth. 13th, 9 a. m., per vaginum examination made. Uterus and right ovary very much congested and very sensitive to touch; sphincter vagina and vagina very much relaxed; patient describes pains in bowels to be as if a hundred knives were drawn through the parts down to the womb, ovaries, urethra and vulva. An injection which passed away during visit contained shreds of mucous membrane. Matter vomited also contained such shreds; dark, bloody and very fetid matter expectorated from the mouth; thought we detected casts of uriniferous tubes in the ounce of albuminous and bloody urine obtained by means of catheter; itching all over body, so as to cause the patient to tear her skin; scalding and burning in mouth, throat and stomach; singultus; capillaries of skin appear to be empty; mind clear, but same hesitation in answering questions still observable. 8 p. m., pulse 92, full; skin moist; vomiting continues as before; constant bleeding at mouth; tongue dry, glazed and stiff, appearing as if baked, with hard crust formed on surface; thirst and loathing; discharges from bowels of a great quantity of disorganized mucous membrane, resembling that thrown off in dysentery; urine albuminous; drowsiness and prostration; sordes on teeth, and singultus. 14th, 10 a. m., patient evidently failing; pulse 80, full while quiet, but quick and very feeble while making the least exertion; vomiting of dark, bilious matter at intervals of a few minutes; mouth sore and bleeding; head dizzy and heavy; tongue clear, red and somewhat more moist than last night, pointed at tip; urine albuminous, but of better colour and larger quantity than at any time since suppression commenced; no movement from bowels; an injection of beef tea was retained all night; patient says she must have something to relieve her or she must die; skin soft and more natural to the touch, but still very yellow; conjunctiva and sclerotic of a better colour. 8 p. m., pulse 80 and full; thirst diminished; tongue clear, red and moist; sordes on teeth; singultus; haemorrhage from the mouth; urine more copious, containing mucus and albumen; tenderness in the right hypochondriac region; stinging, cutting pains in rectum; great irritability of sphincter ani with spasms; spasm of meatus urinarius; haemorrhage from bowels; constant nausea and vomiting, matter vomited is of dark – green colour containing mucus, bile, and shreds of membrane; great distress and oppression at stomach; headache in occipital region; head vacant with feeling as if something whirled round in it; drowsiness; sudden waking from sleep and looking wild as if frightened, followed by palpitation; more blood in surface veins; mouth sore as if salivated; expectoration of bloody saliva. 15th, 10 a. m., pulse 80, moderately full, but easily compressed; giddiness and whirling of head, everything looks black when moving it; nausea and vomiting; colour of the eyes more natural; thirst; singultus; great distress and oppression at stomach; pain in liver, stomach and bowels, and vulva; urine more copious but albuminous; paralysis of bladder and of anus; pain and spasm in rectum; pain in ovaries and uterus; foetid breath and urine; fetid discharges from vagina; bleeding at mouth; hemorrhage from bowels; excruciating pain in haemorrhoidal veins; more blood in surface veins; no movement from bowels; torpidity of liver; great tenderness of vulva; skin yellow, soft and moist; mouth very sore; loathing of food or drink; anxiety and fear of death. 7 and 10 p. m., pulse 80, moderately full, not corresponding to the prostration; haemorrhage from nose, mouth, stomach and bowels; severe cutting pain in rectum; tongue red and dry; thirst; stomach cannot retain even medicine or water; passed per catheter about 3 tablespoonfuls of urine containing albumen; no movement from bowels; dizziness and heaviness of head; anxiety; obstinacy; sudden waking from sleep, with wild, staring look convulsive movements and twitching of muscles and tendons of limbs and face; moaning; sighing; bloody sordes; singultus; foetid taste in the mouth; olfactory nerves very sensitive; weight and oppression of stomach; vertigo; dizziness of vision, especially when rising or moving in bed; loathing of life; despair. 16th, 10 a. m., patient more feeble; pulse 80 to 90, weak and variable; tongue red, dry, cracked and bleeding; soreness and haemorrhage of the mouth; foetid breath and exhalations, so that it was almost impossible to remain in the room even with a constant circulation of air; urine passed involuntarily for first time, more copious and containing blood and albumen; haemorrhage from the bowels, blood does not clot, is very thin and almost black; vomiting of blood, bile, membrane and coffee-ground matter; movement from bowels of watery feculent matter; head heavy and dizzy; thirst; loathing; inability to retain anything on stomach; little pain or soreness in any part of body except stomach; little pain or soreness in any part of body except stomach; skin moist and yellow; twitching of muscles; constant moaning and fear of death, with strong desire to live. 3 p. m., pulse feeble, intermittent, ranging from 80 to 90; twitching of muscles; numbness of limbs; eyes blurred, with dimness of vision; head heavy and dizzy; light painful to eyes; bowels pass feculent matter; indisposition to move or speak, becomes very much exhausted when doing either; bleeding at nose; less vomiting; little pain, but great weight and oppression at pit of stomach; great thirst, but unable to drink much on account of its causing distress in stomach. 8 p. m., called in haste and found the patient in a dying condition. She gradually became insensible and died without struggling; vomiting ceased 8 hours before death. About an hours before death she complained of great weight and oppression in stomach, as if a stone were there. She expressed the opinion to her husband a few m. before death that she could not live long. She continued rational to within a few m. of death. Post – mortem examination was solicited, but not granted. (Dr. C. JUDSON HILL, Trans. of N. Y. State Hom. Society, ii, 214.)
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.