Strychninum


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


Introduction

Alkaloid derived from Nux vomica (also from Ignatia). C21H22N2O2.

Provings

1. R. right -, aet. 29, bilious sanguine temp., robust and very healthy, proved the liquor strychniae of the British Pharmacopoeia, – 4 gr. to the oz., under Mr. Robinson’s superintendence. January 3rd, 1868, took 10 dr. m. and e. Tense pain in right hypochondrium and sleepless n. 4th. – Same m., noon, and e. About 1/4 h/ after 1st doser considerable stiffness of muscles of mastication, and difficulty in opening and shutting mouth; during day flushing and heat of face, slight confusion of ideas, stiffness of extensor muscles of thighs, as if they were made of wood. Sleepless n. 5th. – 3 doses of 12, 15, and 10 dr. respectively. Slight trembling of knees; considerable confusion of ideas (after 2nd dose); general drowsiness, lasting for some hours 6th. – 4 doses of 10 dr. each. Slight stiffness of muscles of jaw and hands after 3rd dose); during day, dull pain shifting along line of aortic arch. 7th. – Same doses. After 4th, stiffness of extensor of thighs, and of muscles of back of neck and hands, causing inability to write. 8th. – Same. No symptoms. 9th. – Same. Occasionally spasmodic explosive cough. 15th, 16th, 17th. – Each day 48 dr. in 4 doses. No symptoms. 18th. – 60 dr. in 4 doses. Troublesome itching of skin for about 2 hours 19th. – 60 dr. in 3 doses. Involuntary idiotic – like chuckle; on raising hand to take hold of a cup, it was drawn back suddenly as if it had been burned, and there came on spasmodic twitchings of both arms – he was obliged to eat with elbows resting on table, muscles of forearm being under control, but not those higher up (after 2nd dose); in bed twitchings of limbs, and spasms as if heart was being firmly grasped; slight confusion of ideas. 20th. – 60 dr. in 4 doses – last 3 largely diluted and sipped at intervals of about 10 m. No symptoms. 21st. – Same. rheumatoid pains, especially in articulations o flower jaw and extensors of thighs. 22nd. – Same. Similar pains in front of thighs, and in forearms and fingers. 23rd. – Same. No symptoms. 24th. – Same. Bad taste in mouth; slight shivering. 25th. – Dizziness, humming in ears, general coldness, especially in sacral region, which feels as if it were iced. These symptoms proved the precursors of a “fever of an dynamic intermittent type,” such as the prover had frequently witnessed at Peshawar in India, with considerable prostration. Upon this, after 7 day, supervened uneasiness increasing to pain in bladder and urethra, with constant urgency to pass water, pain (shooting) involving rectum, and attack culminating in inflammation of right spasmodic cord and testicle. From Feb. 16th, profuse perspiration set in at n., and general condition improved. Testicle, however, remained hard and swollen, and eventually there came on burning pain if left side of scrotum, where skin was tense over testicle, and a large abscess framed in dartos and cellular tissue. This was opened, and yielded a great quantity of semi – transparent fluid, partly mixed with blood; after discharge of which size of testicle became somewhat less, though there seemed no connection between it and the abscess. Soon after this spasms of darting pain in rectum, with gurgling sounds, which had never left him, became more frequent and severe; stools throughout being lumpy, either dry or covered with mucus. Therewith was constant headache, sleeplessness, and slight fever. Sulphur 30, ter die, caused rapid and almost complete relief. [We have summarised these phenomena subsequent to Jan. 23rd, as it is very doubtful whether they were effects of the S. They can only be noted for confirmation. – Eds.] (Monthly Hom. Rev., xii, 251, 560.)

2a. A. F -, aet 34, an unmarried woman, in good health, active and temperate, proved same preparation. March 17th, 1868, at 3:45 p. m., took 15 dr. in water. 4:15, sharp momentary pains at bottom of right heel, and then in right thumb and right hip – joint; peculiar creeping chilliness, with heat, in right side of head and face. 5:30, sore contracted feeling in muscles of abdomen generally; strange darting sensation in calf of left leg and muscles of left upper arm; sharp contractive pains in muscles of chest; peculiar muddled vacant feeling, forgetfulness, she felt disposed to sit still and sleep; dull aching pains at nape and up behind ears; stiff sensation in legs on going downstairs, especially in knees; fixed deep – seated pains in lower abdomen; intense aching in small of back. 10, while sitting, suddenly a kind of spasmodic jumping in lower part of trunk, and now and then in left arm; when falling asleep at n., several convulsive jerks of entire body. Sleepless at night; visions of dead persons. 18th. – On rising severe headache, with sensation on stooping as if head would burst; feeling on intense fulness in ears; extreme chilliness and drowsiness; shooting pains under jaws, and in muscles generally; transient crampy feeling in toes of left foot at intervals; dull shooting pains in glands of neck and behind ears; intense itching of nose, as if in bone, lasting entire day; sharp pains flying about head, at times fixed pain in vertex; creeping, tingling sensation in auricles. Afternoon, burning in left ear and eye; vacant feeling, forgetfulness; tight stiff sensation up spine when bending head down; hot pains and dry sensation in throat, coming on at intervals and lasting a short time; griping pains in bowels; sharp darting pains in left calf. 8 p. m., severe pains in head generally, in left eye, and behind ears, with feeling of stupor and drowsiness; sharp pains in right wrist, and then in left are from shoulder to wrist. 19th. – On rising felt much better. 9 a. m., sharp cutting in left ankle left arm, right lower half and left upper half of abdomen, in succession; momentary darting pains in head and under left jaw; unusually good appetite. 10, sharp pain in right little finger, and at same time such intense aching in ankles that she must sit down; momentary griping pain in bowels. 4 p. m., headache coming on suddenly, especially in left side (including eye); peculiar creeping chilliness all over, with tremulous sensation in jaws. 7 p. m., severe sharp pains in shoulder – joints and muscles of chest; severe fixed pain in upper left chest; a single cold chill down entire length of spine, afterwards she feels deathly cold; dimness of eyes; giddiness and nausea; sensation as if brain had been overworked, with great weariness; dry hot feeling in throat; darting pains in muscles of arms and in right calf; dull pains in glands of neck and behind ears. At n. when falling asleep peculiar spasmodic jumping, at times in left arm only, and afterwards in right hand; severe toothache at midnight. 20th. – On rising, slight sensation of sore – throat, 1. side, with general dry feeling in throat; dull pains in head and eyes, with feeling of stupor and great weariness; griping pains in bowels and constipation; sharp cutting pains in muscles of left thigh and in both arms. 3 p. m., darting pains and contracted feeling in back of neck and head and behind ears; feeling of weariness in brain, great desire to lie down and sleep; loss of memory; sharp pains in upper right chest and in top of shoulders, at short intervals; extreme chilliness, even in warm room; sharp pains in back teeth and jaws. 5:30 p. m., sharp pain in right thumb and right great toe; stiff hard feeling of muscles of neck. (all the pains are more cramp – like than rheumatic; they make her feel as though she would be stiffened.)

2b. 21st. – At 3:45 p. m., 20 dr. 5:45, slight dull pain in head, behind right ear; severe sharp pain in muscles of abdomen. 7, peculiar sudden faint sensation, with sense of extreme brilliancy of vision; jaws were suddenly stiffened for a few m., and then in a moment became relaxed. 9, pains in left knee, palm, and left thumb, as if they would be stiffened. Spasmodic jumping in arms at n. 22nd. – Shortly after rising, feeling of contraction in throat, 1. side. 10, contractive pains in palms. 11:30, sudden drowsy sensation; hard stiffness of muscles of face; stiffening sensation in jaws; sharp darting pains in left temple and round to back of left ear; spasmodic jumping of muscles of arms, passing off suddenly. 5 p. m., sharp pains in right elbow, at short intervals; great weariness and prostration. At n., disagreeable dreams; strange wanderings of the imagination. 23rd. – M., muddled, confused feeling; stiff sensation in eyes, she felt unable to look up; soreness in left side of throat; tongue much coated, bad taste. 10 a. m., feeling of extreme stupor; weight in eyes, with sharp pains in left head and eye; pains in back of head extending down whole length of spine; extreme chilliness. 3:30 p. m., painful coldness of head; feeling as if eyes were suddenly stiffened and drawn back, lasting a few m.; prickly numbed sensation in left hand at intervals during day 8, throat began to feel much worse, hot pains shooting from its left side into ear and eye; cramp – like pains in palms, she can scarcely extend them. Sudden spasmodic jumping or starting of entire body when falling asleep; intense gnawing pain in left half o neck at night; peculiar paralysed feeling in left head and face; tremulous feeling in muscles of face; noise in left ear, like wind. (menstruation came on 21st, and was quite normal.) 24th. – M., and soreness in throat. Forenoon, intense gnawing pain in left half of back from shoulders to waist; exceedingly low – spirited. 2 p. m., deep spasmodic pains in chest and back; feeling of extreme stupor; sharp pains in back of head, extending to left eye and to back of right ear; cutting pains in left calf and left wrist; digging pains deep in left ear. 10, sudden burning heat in left ear and along lower jaw of same side; throat painful and sore, with redness and slight swelling; cramping pains in right foot and leg. 25th. – 10 a. m., violent headache, with bursting pains in forehead, especially 1.; at times great nausea; eyes very hot and painful; extreme chilliness; throat painful and sore entire day; tender bruised feeling over left eye, with fixed pain towards; evening; stiff pains in right knee when sitting. 26th. – Deep pain in left lower abdomen, at intervals during day, also occasionally pains of same kind at pit of stomach; sharp cramp – pains in left palm and sole, also in muscles of neck; slight giddiness at intervals.

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.