Experiments on animals
I. PERCY and LAURENT tensify that a decoction injected into the veins of a pregnant cow caused the animal to calf speedily; and in 1 out of 3 experiments, Mr. Combes has stated, it caused abortion in a bitch. “Dr.Ostere gave ergot to a sow, a cow, and a cat, before the completion of pregnancy, and in each case induced abortion.”(STILLE.) Diez found that it caused uterine contractions in dogs, rabbits, and sows. Large doses given to bitches induced an inflammatory condition of the uterus, and destroyed both mother and young. Mr. Youatt, at the Zoological Gardens, found it an unfailing oxytocic; but points out that in the case of ruminants its entrance into the fourth or villous stomach must be secured. (PEREIRA, op. cit.)
2. COURHAUT gave a pregnant bitch 3iv of ergot for 6 days together. On 2nd day the animal seemed chilly, and on 3rd was seized with severe shiverings. He gave her 6 dr. of ammonia in her food, on which the symptoms abated. On 6th day she aborted of 4 living pups, shivering violently the while. In 3 hours time the ammonia was repeated, when the shivering gradually ceased. (Traite de l’ Ergot. 1827.)
3. To a bitch big with young was given daily, for several weeks, 3iiiss of ergot, without perceptible effect; and at full term 6 healthy pups were born. The animal, still kept on the same food, was again impregnated, and showed no signs of ill-health till near end of gestation, when she became snappish and ill at ease, looked drowsy and moped, fur erect and rough. Five day after normal time she brought forth 3 pups, of which 2 were dead and only half grown, and the 3rd, scarcely more advanced, lived only a few h. Under continuance of the ergot the mother got in the 9th week a large swelling under the lower jaw, which, on being opened, discharged greenish matter, which formed again and again before death. In 11th week 3 fore – teeth fell out, eyes secreted pus, she lost all desire for food, and for some days before death had diuresis and diarrhoea. She died in 12th week, having swallowed 46 oz. of ergot, and her weight reduced from 7 1/2 to 5 1/4 lb. Alimentary canal, with liver and spleen, were less affected than usual; but lungs and mesentery were strewn with tubercles. Fistulous openings discharging pus were found about the roots of the incisors, and communicated with a cyst full of pus under the chin. The same experimenter, after many similar trials, concluded that ergot does not exert a parturifacient action on these animals, though it sometimes appears to injure or destroy the foetus. (WRIGHT, Ed. Medorrhinum and Surg. Journ., lii, 319.)
4. Same injected a strong infusion into the jugular veins of dogs. The symptoms were dilated, pupils, a rapid pulse, convulsions, and flaccidity of limbs followed by tetanic rigidity of them, which lasted after death. When a weaker infusion was employed, it caused great temporary excitement, followed by depression. A still more diluted preparation seemed to exhaust life by a progressive sedative operation. Similar results ensued when the solution was thrown into the peritoneal cavity. (Ibid.)
5. Same gave to a bitch daily 3j of ergot in 2 or 3 doses. The first week she trembled violently after each dose; pupils generally dilated after 5 m.; abdominal parietes were drawn inward; not infrequently hiccup came on; heart beat at first with increased force, but in about 20 m. its pulsations became feebler; she frothed at the mouth, and at last each dose produced weakness of hind paws, lassitude, and somnolence. Urine was passed frequently and copiously. Eyes were evidently affected, their expression being wild; and they showed little sensibility on approach of finger to them. After 3 weeks 3 doses of 3ss each were given every d. During 3rd and 4th weeks animal was emaciated, dejected, and without appetite; mouth and nose seemed dry; in standing, the animal generally held one paw from the ground, a fore – paw and a hinder one alternately, and there was twitching of elevated limb. Sensation was impaired, most in posterior parts of body; extremely offensive flatus and feces made their escape from anus; eyes became weak and watering, lids adherent in m. A dose of 3ij being rejected, experiment was continued with daily doses of 3iss. At end of 5th week tears were so corrosive as to denude of hair the parts of the skin on which they fell. Pituitary membrane secreted a purulent fluid; breathing grew difficult, and sight and hearing obtuse; diarrhea and constipation alternated. The last 4 day dog could no longer chew; breath was offensive, as indeed was whole body; breathing and circulation very slow; temp. of body fell; tremor came on, sensation was lost, urine escaped uncontrolled, and death at last ensued. The animal had taken 56 oz. in 7 weeks, and weight had fallen from 13 to 7 1/2 lb. On dissection, no muscles responded to galvanism, and superficial ones were soft, pale, and lacerable; heart was found flabby and very small; lungs darker than usual, extensively bestrewn with tubercles; mucous membrane of air-tubes thickened and hardened here and there, and covered with reddish-green purulent secretion; small intestine internally reddened as far as end of jejunum, large one towards end of rectum; spleen much smaller than usual, but liver larger; all other organs (including uterus) normal, save that dura mater of brain was rather injected. Body began to putrify in 12 hours (Ibid. liii, 1.)
6. 3iv of ergot were administered every other day, in 3 doses, to a puppy 4 mo. old. His appetite fell off, and in 3 weeks he was brought very low. The 4th week dose was raised to 3vj, after which he grew rapidly thin, which was particularly observable in the hind legs, with which he was nearly lame by end of 6th week. The dog became in the meantime nearly blind and deaf; he sat for hours together as if chewing something, then turned his head first one way and then another, or ran to and fro whining; now and then he passed fetid bilious feces; urine was natural and abundant. There was corrosive discharge from eyes; action of heart slow and feeble; temperature and sensibility reduced, while the irritability was increased. At the end of 7th week animal remained always lying down, and felt painfully any pressure on the left hip. He died at beginning of 9th week, after taking 23 1/2 oz. of the drug. Body was immediately opened. Only diaphragm and pectorales showed any muscular irritability when galvanised. Heart contained much dark blood; lungs, too, were unnaturally dark, and contained many ecchymosed specks and tubercles; mucous membrane of air-passages thickened, of dirty yellow colour and offensive smell. Stomach and intestines were sound, save that latter were constricted, and in some places as it were puckered, and in duodenum there was an abscess a 1/4 in. long. Kidneys were pale and very soft, spleen small, liver very large and in parts hardened, cervical and inguinal glands large and hard; brain and spinal cord softened, former in two places almost fluid. Blood and pus were found in cavity of left hip- joint; adjoining ligaments were lengthened and loosened in their texture; synovial membrane thickened and softened. Body soon putrefied. (Ibid., p. 5.)
7. a. A lively spaniel bitch, 9 mo. old, after fasting 24 hours, was given one m. a meal of porridge in which were 3ij of powdered ergot. To prevent vomiting, mouth was tied up. In 1/2 hour efforts to vomit came on, and a clear shining fluid ran from mouth. At 11 pupils were dilated. At 1 she began to be restless; breathing and heart’s action were accelerated. She would neither eat nor drink, when mouth was untied. At 9 p. m. she became calmer, and next day merely seemed languid and indisposed to eat; excrement was very hard. Two days after 3ss was mixed with meal and water, and forced, in 6 portions, down her throat. In 1/4 hour there was a violent effort to vomit, which recurred 4 times. At 1 p. m. pulse and breathing were accelerated; she trembled violently; pupils were dilated. Restlessness was much greater than in first experiment; she ran hither and thither. Conjunctiva of both eyes was pencilled, especially at inner angle, with a network of vessels. Next day all symptoms had improved, and restlessness had given place to sleepiness and lassitude. The animal ate little, and passed hard dry excrement; tongue was white, conjunctiva rather red, and thick yellowish mucus had accumulated at the inner canthus. On the 5th day, at 8 a. m., 3j was administered in 12 doses, and mouth tied. In 1/2 hour violent efforts to vomit, in which string round mouth snapped, and whole of drug was thrown up. She continued for several hours very dejected. At 1 p. m. a similar quantity was administered. At 4, acceleration of pulse and breathing, dilatation of pupils, long- continued trembling of whole body. No efforts to vomit, but on mouth being untied ergot came up. The animal was dejected for rest of day, and would neither eat nor drink.
7 b. No symptoms remaining after 6 days save some lassitude and want of appetite, 3j was given as before at 7 a. m. In a short time came same symptoms as before, – enlargement of pupils, general shivering, quickened breathing and pulse. At 10 there were several efforts to vomit. At 1 shivering ceased, and no more mucus ran from mouth; dog became restless, and ran about with tail in air, often striking her head against objects in the way. At 2 mouth was untied; tongue was white and dry, as was likewise whole inner surface of mouth. Symptoms went on increasing; respiration and action of heart grew quicker every hour; nostrils were stopped up with thick yellow mucus; conjunctive of both eyes very red. The animal walked unsteadily and feebly; hind legs especially seemed weak, and a slight push was sufficient to throw her on her side. At 9 she drank some milk greedily. She was still weak on 8th day, slow and unsteady in movements; excrement hard and dry. Yellowish purulent – looking mucus had collected in inner canthi, and partially covered surface of eyes, giving them a dim dull look; conjunctive was pretty strongly injected. She refused solid food, but lapped up milk and water with avidity. Next day all morbid symptoms had departed, save some lassitude; there was still thirst without appetite. Towards evening she voided some thin fetid excrement. On the 10th day, at 9 a. m., a decoction of 3iss was poured down her throat. Same symptoms followed, but to a much slighter degree. On the 11th day same quantity was given in powder. In 3/4 hours she made several attempts at vomiting and trembled violently; at 11 pupils were strongly dilated. In afternoon great restlessness, constant running from place to place, great acceleration of respiration and pulse. At 5 mouth was untied. In running she separated her legs a good deal, and swayed from side to side as if intoxicated; often knocked her head, which she always carried low, against things in her way, and several times fell down. She often turned round and round, always right to left, and could not be diverted from this motion; if she was fastened by a string she turned round in this direction till it was tight about her neck. Meanwhile her breathing became hurried and fitful, and she moaned now and then. When spent by her violent efforts she lay down on her belly, but the slightest noise was sufficient to rouse her to renewed exertions. On meat being offered her she ate some voraciously, and then staggered away. Her nose was warm and dry; her eyes sparkled and moved restlessly hither and thither, and pupils were dilated. She moaned a great deal in the n. Next day symptoms subsided gradually, but all that day she walked unsteadily. She drank a quantity of water, and was quite ready for her usual food. On 14th day she was quite well again.
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.