16b. In December, 1856, having for some time past smoked more than usual, I perceived a disagreeable taste in my mouth, which I could only compare to that of rancid oil. The digestive functions were otherwise normal. The taste continued; felt on waking, going off during meals, returning an hour after. After some weeks of it, a yellow spot-size of a three penny piece-appeared on one side of my tongue, looking like a piece of lichen growing there. I thought I discerned when Sucked at the spot, that the bad taste proceeded from it. It grew a little, but slowly, and soon afterwards a similar spot appeared on the pillars of the fauces. I then became troubled with a dry cough, which in a short time became very violent; it was precisely like whooping – cough, and lasted day and night save when I was eating; along with it there was dyspnoea and almost constant sibilant rales, which gave me a great deal of annoyance. The stethoscope found nothing but a good deal of bronchial congestion. Spongia and other medicines gave only temporary relief; I then left off smoking, and in less than a week cough, dyspnoea, bad taste, spots – everything in fact, had disappeared.
16 c. I made several attempts subsequently at moderate smoking, but found that if I persevered after the rancid taste had once set in, the cough and other symptoms would follow. At this time (Feb., 1858) I had to take a nine hours’ railway journey and was tempted to smoke all the way. The taste of rancid oil towards the end was so intense as almost to make me sick. On coming near home, moreover, I experienced some slight shootings in the hypochondria. my abdomen was fuller than usual; and, while the seat of a dull pain, little increased by pressure, was itself insensible to contract. i also had some difficulty in speaking, through a benumbed sensation not only of the tongue but of the buccal and maxillary muscles, which when I attempted to speak were affected with a sort of nervous trembling. On reaching home about 8 p. m. I sat down to dinner with great appetite, but had no sooner swallowed a few spoonfuls of soup when a sudden sharp, indescribable pain, so severe as to make me cry out, caused the spoon to drop from my hand, and I fell back on my chair, pale as death, panting, and apparently at the last gasp. I could not utter a word, and only my hands clasped over my stomach revealed the seat of my sufferings. they got me to bed and applied hot fomentations, which gave much relief, and the pain went rapidly off. Still feeling hungry, I ate a few mouthfuls of chicken, whereupon the pain returned, and I had a horrible night. It came every 20 or 30 m. at first, lasting 1-3 m. and ending in copious perspiration. There were no other symptoms during the attack, and as soon as it was over I felt perfectly well. I had three more next day, but on the 3rd day, thanks to keeping my bed and eating nothing (though very hungry), they kept off. On the 4th days, after a good night, I swallowed a few spoonfuls of chocolate and went out in my carriage. Scarcely had 10 m. elapsed when an attack came on, and I returned home in despair. The 5th and 6th days I spent in bed, taking no food, and had no pain. on the 7th day I took some chicken broth, and sat up a little. There was some slight pain in the sides, but no attack. Three day later I resumed my usual diet and habits. Tongue, at first loaded, w as still a little yellow at root. After having been quite well for 5 days I tried to smoke a cigar; but after 3 or 4 whiffs there occurred the acute characteristic pain in epigastrium, the rancid taste, and sweat on the forehead. i should certainly have had an attack had I persisted. (Ibid.)
17. M. BEAU believes that tobacco is a frequent cause of angina pectoris. The following are the facts on which he grounds his opinion:
17a. A gentleman, aet about 60, in the habit of smoking to excess, for a month suffered frequently at night from palpitation, oppression, and pain in shoulders He discontinued smoking, and the attacks entirely ceased, the digestive functions becoming at the same time more regular. After 3 mo. he resumed his old habits, and again experienced the same symptoms. At length he completely chewed tobacco, and has had no further return of the attacks.
17 b. A physician, aet. 50, troubled with dyspepsia and debility, indulged in cigarettes whenever opportunity offered. For some time he complained of palpitations, accompanied by oppression and sense of tightness about chest, recurring in paroxysms at various hours of day or n. He gave up smoking, and the attacks ceased. One day he was in the same room with several smokers, and though he did not imitate them, on the following n. the former symptoms returned.
17 c. A physician, aet. 35, incessantly smoked cigarettes in the intervals of his professional visits. for a long time his appetite had declined, and he consequently took very little food. One m., fasting, while smoking on his way to a patient, he was suddenly seized with praecordial anxiety and tightness across upper chest. He was unable to speak or walk; his pulse became imperceptible, and his hands cold. These symptoms lasted 1/2 h. He consulted M. Beau, and by his advice relinquished the habit of smoking, promising to report if any similar paroxysm recurred. M. Beau had not heard of him since.
17 d. A Spaniard, aet. 30, in the constant habit of smoking cigarettes, suffered much from dyspepsia. One evening, while indulging as usual, he suddenly experienced violent constriction of chest, and for 10 m. his pulse was imperceptible. Alarmed at this occurrence, he greatly diminished his daily consumption of tobacco, and the symptoms of angina have not since returned.
17 e.. A physician, who had been compelled to discontinue the practice of smoking on account of disturbance of the gastric functions, also experienced, while he was using tobacco, nocturnal attacks of tightness of throat, with palpitation and neuralgic pains in neck. He now enjoys perfect freedom from these symptoms.
17 f. a merchant, m who for 15 – 20 years has suffered from dyspepsia consequent on immoderate smoking of cigarettes, suffers chiefly at n., from paroxysms of praecordial oppression, with palpitation and pain between shoulders. The features are drawn, and the pulse small and irregular. This gentleman now smokes more than ever.
17g. A healthy and vigorous old man, aet. 75, sought consolation in smoking from mental distress. One day an attack of angina occurred of 1/2 hours duration; a second fit recurred next day, and he was found dead in his bed the following m.
17 h.. A foreign diplomatic agent, an inveterate smoker, was seized one evening with angina pectoris, characterised by dyspnoea, smallness of pulse, coldness of extremities, and lividity of surface. He went to sleep at 11, awoke next m. at his customary hour, and transacted business as usual. At 5 p. m., while smoking a cigar in his arm-chair, he suddenly expired. A fatty condition of heart was the only alteration detected at the post-mortem examination. (J. de Medorrhinum et de chir. prat., July, 1862.)
18. Mr. L -, aet. 35, complained Dec. 12th, 1861, of sore throat, with partial anaesthesia of fingers, toes, and end of tongue. Fauces were red, and tonsils slightly enlarged. He was rather thin, and had a somewhat anaemic and cachectic look. On Jan. 1st he was losing flesh and strength; numbness was increasing, as also a tendency to constipation; while appetite was in ordinate. Urine was found normal. By 12th he was confined to house, numbness was now pretty general, and eyesight somewhat affected. Heart beat a little irregular, with a slight anaemic murmur. Tongue slightly coated. He has no erections or sexual desires. On calling on 15th, Dr. Farnsworth found patient in bed, and smoking. He then ascertained that he had been for several years in the habit of smoking the coarsest kind of tobacco in the foulest of pipes during all his waking hours. Anaesthesia was now general; and motion, though itself unimpaired, was only possible by aid of sight. The smoking was stopped at once. Three day later urine was heavily charged with urea, urates, and triple phosphates, with a distinct odour of nicotine; he complained also of a foetid sweat. By 22nd he was improving; perspiration still copious, smelling nicotine. Sensibility did not return as fast as strength; cold was hardly felt, and he had but little taste. Numbness now gradually went off up to March, passing downwards to extremities. He could then walk five miles to see the doctor as at first, and normal hue of face had returned. At this time, for experiment’s sake, he tired a cigar. It produced nausea and all the feelings of a novice, together with a return of the numbness of the fingers, and a smarting of the fauces. (Amer. Medorrhinum Times, v, 189.)
19. The anaphrodisiac properties of t. have been long known; it is used on this account in many monasteries in Italy. Demonstration by recorded observations, however, is not abundant; and I am glad to be able to cite the following cases furnished me by M. Martin-Damourette.
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.