Strophanthus hispidus


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


Introduction

Strophanthus hispidus. Nat Ord., Apocynacea.

Provings

I. We have made four provings of Str. on healthy person (i. e. such as, to the best of our knowledge, were free from cardiac or vascular lesions), with the aid of the sphygmograph, with the view of endeavouring to form a personal opinion as to its influence on arterial tension.

1a. Camille B -, aet. 28. Nov. 26th, 1887, a tracing was taken of his right pulse, which was found normal. He then took 15 dr. of a tinct. of Str., 1 to 20, in two dose at 2 and 4 p. m. At 9 p. m. trace again taken; rate slower by 1/9th; ascending curve unaltered, apex more rounded, descending curve not only more prolonged but slightly convex. The physiological dicrotism had entirely disappeared (i. e. slight increase of pressure). Same doses were given on 27th an 28th. 29th. – No irregularity, but notable inequality of the arterial pulsations, which were scarcely bounding; ascending line not only very short but extremely oblique, and continuous with descending by a curve of very lengthened radius, i.e., cardiac impulse much enfeebled, while arterial tension is moderately strong; the explanation of which must be general contraction of the arterioles. 30th. – After these 24 hours of repose, the cardiac action has recovered itself, the curve has regained its normal height, while nearly resembling the arc of a circle, with no trace of dicrotism. Frequency of pulse normal. Same dose. Dec. 2nd. – The curve still more closely resembles the arc of a circle. Intensity of cardiac impulse somewhat augmented. 3rd. – Curve completely altered; ascending line nearly vertical, rising to double its original height; summit very rounded; descending line still somewhat convex; slight dicrotism. All this means a rapid fall in arterial tension, with strong impulse of heart. Pulse was somewhat quicker than naturally. The patient experiencing some degree of malaise, the proving was carried no farther. The quantity of urine fell, after the first two or three days, about one third.

1 b. Charles P -, aet. 23, had tracing taken at 10 a. m., Nov. 22nd. It was normal, with well – marked dicrotism. He then took tinct. like a. Tracing taken at 9:30 p. m. showed summit of curve more elevated and ascending line quite vertical (augmented cardiac impulse and slightly diminished pressure). Pulse was somewhat slower. 23rd. – 8 a. m., tracing normal, save for a visible increase in dicrotism. The patient refused to go on, pleading indisposition.

1 c. F. L -, aet. 15, very vigorous. Tracing taken at 10 a. m., Nov. 22nd, was remarkable for a dicrotism not pathological but comparatively enormous, and for a somewhat acute summit. After the usual doses, at 9 p. m. the curve was found a very little higher, ascending line short, summit rounded, descending line very long and bulging; without trace of dicrotism in most of the pulsations; frequency of pulse less by 1/6th. 23rd. – Return to normal state, save that cardiac impulse is slightly diminished.

1 d. Jeanne R -, aet. II, in good health. Tracing taken at 10 a. m. Nov. 24th showed summit of curve a little rounded. The usual doses were taken in day and the next, but the evening tracings showed no alteration. 26th. – Doses being repeated, at 8:30 p. m. curve was found rounded to a convex plateau, and descending line raised and bulging (slight increase of pressure). Doses were repeated on 27 and 28th. On 29th (no medicine having been taken in d.), summit much raised, ascending line nearly vertical, considerable increase in frequency of pulse. 30. – Doses repeated. Pressure becoming strong again, and curve resembling the arc of a circle. Dec. 2nd. – Curve continues rounded, but pressure tends to diminish, ascending line being vertical instead of oblique, and frequency of pulse being increased. 3rd. – Same trace, with lowering of force of cardiac impulse. (PIEDVACHE, Bull. de la Soc. Medorrhinum Hom. de France, xxix, 673.).

Experiments on animals

I. The pharmacological action of S. appears to be an extremely simple one. It may, I believe, be described in e few words that it is a muscle poison. However introduced into the body it increases the contractile power of all striped muscles, and renders their contractions more complete and prolonged. In lethal doses, it destroys, besides the capacity of the muscle, to assume the normal state of partial flaccidity, and causes the rigidity of contraction to become permanent, and to pass into the rigor of death. As a result of the action on muscle, the heart is early and powerfully affected. The systole is increased, and the contractions slowed by small doses; the heart is paralyzed in a condition of rigid contraction by large doses. This action is produced if the influence of the cerebro – spinal nervous system be altogether removed. (FRASER, Brit. Medorrhinum Journ., 1885, ii, 905.)

2. Dr. PIEDVACHE gives the following as the results obtained by the French experiments, Polaillon and Carville, Gley and Lapique, Laborde, and Lepine (also Pelikan of St. Petersburg): – Whether the drug acts on the ganglionic intra – cardiac apparatus, or directly on the muscular fibre, this at least is certain, that toxic doses cause cardiac paralysis or rather inhibition, for Laborde has shown that when arrest of the heart has been obtained a slight stimulation will set it going again for a time. These phenomena are seen equally in frogs whose cord and medulla have been completely destroyed, and in those whose nervous centres are intact. But if the action of S. on the cerebro – spinal nervous system is quite isolated from that which it exerts on the heart, it is nevertheless indubitable, as shown by convulsions preceded by a remarkable general debility, diminution and then disappearance of reflex function, progressive and general paralysis from centre to periphery. In a feeble dose, the drug does not appreciably modify the arterial pressure in animals. In a somewhat stronger dose it raises it, but not constantly. In still higher dosage, or by continued operation, the pressure falls little by little, and at last sinks abruptly to zero. Frequency of beats is slightly diminished at first, then increased coincidently with the rise in pressure, then slackened again as that falls, and now great irregularity is observed. (Loc. cit.).

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.