Silica


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


Introduction

Silicic anhydride, SiO2. Pure Flint, silex.

Provings

I. HAHNEMANN, Chronic Diseases, part v of original, Vol. of translation. Contains 1193 symptoms, of which all but 150 (from 7 fellow – observers) are his own.

2. Took 1/4 gr. pure, triturated Silica. Persistent cough (several months). Expectoration of thick purulent mucus, especially m. and a. m. He expectorates lumps of yellow mucus, causing the trachea and chest to feel sore. Great oppression of chest without pain, especially when walking, so that he must stand still every 4 to 5 steps. He frequently required to breathe deeply on account of the oppression of chest, but he can only do so by an effort. Perceptible emaciation of the whole body, at same time pallid ill-looking complexion with sensitiveness to the air. (KNORRE, A. h. Z., vi, 37.)

3. From dust inhaled while triturating Silicea Scraping in throat, causing short cough and raw feeling in bronchial tubes, worst evening on going to bed and m. on waking (lasting 4 d.). Heaviness of head and full feeling, p. m. till n. (Ist d.). Pressive pain in sinciput, especially in forehead and in eyes, increased by movement (2nd d.). For several days uneasy dreams and even loud speaking in sleep. Tearing in both wrists and pain in left middle finger, the finger appears to be somewhat swollen (after 4 d.). Small painful lumps on the inner surface of the Ist phalanx of middle finger like a ganglion in course of formation (after 6 days, went away after 8th day spontaneously). (HENCKE, A. h. Z., lv, 135.)

4. N. N. -, a soldier, aet. 25, took Jan. 19th, 7:30 a. m., 40 dr. 30th dil. At 8 a. m. vertigo, and vision so obscured that he could see nothing at 5 paces distant; throbbing tearing in left shoulder. 8:30 a. m., tearing pain on lower posterior part of left upper arm, lasting 6 m. 10 to 11 a. m., tearing pains in sinciput. Slight pains in abdomen for 2 hours 3 to 6 p. m., frequent urging to stool. From 2 to 5 p. m., very sleepy. – 20th. Tension above eyes, limbs very tired. – 21 sat, m., 40 dr. Slight vertigo, throbbing tearing in left thigh. Until 11 a. m. frequent eructation, inodorous. Tearing worse in warm room and when sitting than when walking. From 3 to 9 p. m. severe headache, after which felt tired and sleepy. – 23rd, 40 dr. From 9 to 11 a. m. vertigo, painful jerking tearing in head and pain in abdomen, relieved by discharge of flatus. From 1 to 9 p. m. very sleepy. 10 p. m., cramp pains in thighs and arms for 1 hour – 30th, 1 a. m., 50 dr. 21st dil. After 1/2 hour severe vertigo lasting 1 hour dimness of vision. After 1 hour on right thigh above knee jerking for 2 hours 10 to 11 a. m., violent pains in abdomen. 2 to 5 p. m., persistent tearing in right leg. From time of taking dose till noon some pains in sinciput, eyelids very heavy, sleepy, frightful dreams. – Feb. Ist, 50 dr. From 8 to 10 a. m. vertigo, weariness in lower limbs. After 11 a. m. urging to stool. Great drowsiness, disinclination for exertion, a stupefied feeling. 8:30 a. m., persistent tearing in feet, lasting till 6 p. m.; it then went upwards and settled above knee, and lasted all n. till m. Two soft stools. – 2nd, 6 a. m., the pain in thigh went into its posterior part. From 8 to 11 a. m. pricking sensation in sinciput. From 11 a. m. fever with great chilliness; the headache lasted till p. m. Stitches in both temples, head feels open. From 12 till 2 p. m pressure in stomach as if a stone lay there. Two watery stools with tenesmus. 10 p. m., difficulty of getting to sleep. – 3rd, 6:30 a. m.,, 10 dr. 17th dil. Pain in sinciput, vertigo till 9 a. m., then rheumatic tearing in left thigh, and right and left forearms, lasting till 10:30 a. m. 11 a. m., same pain in back for a few m. Eyelids very heavy. Great weariness in arms and legs so that he could hardly walk or lift a pound weight. 11 to 11:30 a. m., sharp shooting in right temple. 11:45 a. m., sharp shooting in l.iliac region. Tearing in left foot for 3 or 4 m. Tearing in right shoulder and right wrist for a few m. Tearing in frontal region. From 11 a. m. till 3 p. m. slight pain in sinciput, vertigo, bitter taste. 12:15 p. m., shooting in back of right upper arm for 10 m. 3 p. m., tearing in left foot for 12 m. 3:45 p. m., rheumatic tearing in left leg, left forearm, and right upper arm for 10 m. Severe tearing in wrist and fingers. 5 p. m., tearing in left leg and thigh, in left forearm and wrist for 10 m. From 7 till 9 p. m. headache, shooting, tearing in sinciput; after this tearing in right temple and after 10 m. in left temple. Mouth dry and bitter taste and thirst, teeth loose, gums painful on pressure. Head confused and severe pain in sinciput. Disinclined to mental work, appetite bad. – 4th, 2 a. m., rheumatic tearing in right shoulder for 1/4 hours 8 a. m., rheumatic tearing in sinciput and right temple for 1/2 hours 9 a. m., rheumatic tearing in right leg for 6 m., it then went into shoulders, lasted 12 m., and then gradually went off. Limbs very weary, head heavy and confused, eyes very weak, memory impaired, low spirits. Bad appetite. – 5th. Head somewhat confused, bitter taste. – 6th, 7 a. m.,50 dr. 5th dil. 8j till 10 a. m., slight pains in belly. 10 a. m., vertigo, sight dim. Low spirits. Weariness in all limbs. Appetite bad for dinner. Febrile rigor from p. m. till 8:30 p. m. 1 p. m. till 9 p. m. pains in various parts of head, for 1 hour only in sinciput, then in whole head. 2 p. m., tearing in right temple for 10 m. 2:30 p. m., tearing in occiput, for 15 m. 5 p. m., tearing in temples for 10 m. 2 p. m., tearing in right shoulder for 15 m. Sharp stitches in l side of chest at 3 p. m. for 15 m.; the pain then went into elbows and wrist for 6 m. 4 p. m., tearing in thigh for 10 m. 4:30 p. m., tearing in leg, ankle very painful for 1/2 hours 7 p. m., sharp stitches in l side of chest for 1/2 hours 9 p. m., fell asleep, bad appetite. – 7th, 7 a. m.,, 50 dr. Vertigo on rising. 7:30 a. m., pains in sinciput. 9 a. m., tearing in right temple for 1/2 hours 9:30 a. m., rheumatic tearing in occiput for 10 m. 10 till 11 a. m., colicky pains in belly, which is distended. 11 a. m., discharge of flatus with relief to colic. Great weariness in limbs. 11:30, tearing in right thigh for 1 hour; thence the pains went into ankles. 1 p. m., tearing in right forearm and wrist for 1/2 hour, it then went into elbow and finally into shoulder. Fever lasted till 7:30 p. m., after that all limbs felt paralyzed. Bitter taste, inclination to vomit, violent eructations till 7 p. m. 5:30 p. m., tearing in right temple, also in parietal bones, increased by stooping and moving. Little appetite. Gloomy humour, memory weakened. – 8th. Great cramp in limbs, slight vertigo, dimness of vision. (RUOFF, Hygea, viii, I.)

5. O. R -, soldier, aet. 25, took Jan. 30th, at 4:30 p. m., 50 dr. 21st dil. After 1/2 hour twitching in middle and anterior part of right thigh for 20 m. Nausea, bitter taste, digging in belly, vertigo, drowsiness, and thirst. – Feb. Ist, same dose. Above symptoms. Severe burning in both feet for 8 m. Twitching pain in left testicle. In evening pressure on chest. From 9 a. m. violent pains in forehead and tearing pains in sinciput. – 2nd. Anxious dream about water. – 3rd., 8 a. m., 100 dr. 17th dil. After 1/2 hours digging and cutting pain in belly. Weariness of limbs, dazed head, tearing headache, bitter taste, bad appetite, thirst, dimness of vision. 3 p. m., twitching in right shoulder- joint for 8 m. Febrile rigor. Hair feels as though it would fall off. 5:30 p. m., about 20 stitches in right temple, and some palpitation of heart. – 4th. Violent headache. Shooting and tearing in right ear, then shooting and tearing in not good, sight weak.- 5th. Stitches in left temple, tearing in both eyelids for 15 m. 9:30 a. m., tearing in left wrist, going thence to elbow and shoulder-joint. (Ibid., 8)

6. N. N -, a robust man, aet. 33, took, Feb. 18th, 100 dr. 24th dil. No symptoms. – 20th, 70 dr., 23rd dil. Two soft stools. – 23rd, 90 dr. 18th dil. Pressure in head, hoarseness, tongue feels sore. – 24th. Feet tired. E., in left side of throat swelling and tensive pain. – 28th, 100 dr. No symptoms. – March 2nd, 100 dr. 12th dil. Chilliness and drowsiness after food. – 3rd, same dose. No symptoms. – 6th, 12 dr. 6th dil. Great itching all over body. – 7th, 12 dr. 285h dil. Pressure in forehead. Tongue dry with sensation of pungent spice. Frequent discharge of flatus. – 10th, 30 dr. 4th dil. Frontal pain, tongue dry. – 13th, 70 dr. Backache, pressure in both temples, pains in chest. – 14th. Headache on waking. (Ibid., 9.)

7. E. N -, a girl, aet. 20, Feb. 18th, 10 dr., 24th dil. No symptoms. – 19th, 24 dr. No symptoms. – 20th, 30 dr. Stitches in various parts of left side of body, chiefly in chest, increased by deep breathing. Pain in right side of head, vertigo, weakness of wrists. – 21st, 10 dr. Headache all day, sometimes shooting, sometimes pressive over forehead, going from one side to other. Very sensitive, weeping. – 22nd, 30 dr. Shooting on left side of head. At n. pains in chest. Sleep restless. – 23rd, 30 dr. Pain as yesterday. – 24th, 14 dr. Pain as yesterday, but worse on right side of head and body, especially in right hand; hot lips. Sleep at n. often disturbed. – 25th. Same symptoms as yesterday, except in arms. Headache more pressive. – 27th, 50 dr. 18th dil. No symptoms. – 28th, 15 dr. After 1 hour painful contraction in right calf, soon going off. Pains in ball of right foot, pressure and heaviness in brain. Noon, 15 dr. Symptoms of m. repeated. – March 1st, 50 dr. Drawing and shooting pain in feet and legs. Burning on dorsum of right foot. Yesterday’s symptoms repeated. – 4th, 50 dr. 12th dil. No. symptoms. – 5th, 30 dr. Tearing in head from one to other. Shooting in right fingers, restless sleep, little appetite, cross humour. – 20th, 40 dr. No symptoms. – 25th, 30 dr. Tearing pains in feet and legs increased by walking nausea and pressure in stomach. Noon, pain, with cramp – like contraction of left calf.- 27th, 30 dr. 9th dil. Contraction in chest for a short time. – 28th, 109 dr. No symptoms. – 31st, 70 dr. Pressure in stomach, headache as before. Very low spirits. Internal uneasiness and excitement. – April 16th, 70 dr. 4th dil. No symptoms. – 17th, 95 dr. No symptoms for the first few d. After 6 day burning in throat and chest, hoarseness, especially m., so that she could hardly speak aloud. Rough cough.- 25th. Great weariness, hoarseness.-May 12th. The hoarseness and chest pains continue, are worst m. and e. Cough slight. Sensitiveness of hands, when squeezed has violent pains in them; they are always very cold. – 30th, 1 gr. 3rd trit. No symptoms.- June 3rd, same dose. Hoarseness and chest pains gone. White scaly itching eruption on face and neck. – 5th, 1 gr. 2nd trit. Symptoms as before. – 8th, 1 gr. Ist trit. The eruption continues and smarts.-14th. Eruption goes off gradually. – July 2nd, 100 dr. 4th dil. No symptoms. – 4th. Hoarse voice, cough with shooting in throat. – 10th, 3 dr. Spir. Silicea in 100 dr. alcohol. After 6 hours hoarseness. In evening burning and shooting in throat, especially when yawning and swallowing.- 11th. Hoarseness continues, throat feels swollen and painful. – 12th. Great tickling in throat causing cough. (Ibid., iI.)

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.