Poisonings
1. A patient who took Zvj of the root daily, in the form of decoction, one n. when about to fall asleep suddenly started up, believing that he saw a great light, and that the side of the ward opposite to him was in flames. Other patients imagined the flashes of fire were darting from their eyes. (BARBIER, Mat. Medorrhinum, ii, 153.)
2. I have met with some patients whom V. threw into such agitations and hurries of spirits as plainly showed that it is by no means inert. (HERBERDEN, Commentaries, quoted by Pereira.)
3. Perseverance in its use for too long a period induces a decided tendency to low melancholy and hysterical depression. (PHILLIPS, op. cit.)
4. Within 8 hours a man of nervous temperament took Zij of extract. He became delirious, threatening and vociferating violently. His pulse was frequent, tremulous, and irregular, and the pupils extremely and fixedly dilated. He was blind, recognised no one, imagined himself beset by dangers, and staggered in walking. He had also a constant desire to urinate. After 1 1/2 gr. of morphia pupils contracted, sleep ensured, and in 2 hours he was wakened without difficulty, and in a perfectly rational state of mind. (ABELL, Bost. Medorrhinum and Surg. Journ., March, 1856, p. 117. -Stille, from whom this case is taken, thinks that belladonna or stramonium must have been given to the patient by mistake. – EDS.).
Experiments on animals
1. One of the most singular properties of V. is its effect upon cats, which Mathiolus describes in these terms: “Cats are so fond of it that they smell it at a great distance, and purr with delight while they are eating it.” Foy paints a still more vivid picture of this singular phenomenon. “In places where V. is stored,” he remarks, “cats may be seen rolling themselves upon it, mewing and purring in the most extraordinary manner, and at last expiring in a perfectly voluptuous frenzy.” (STILLE, op. cit.)
2. GRISAR experimented on animals with the ordinary volatile oil of V. employed in pharmacy, and mentions that every specimen used was highly charged with the peculiar odour of valerianic acid. The general result of his experiments with valerian oil was similar to that of the trials with chamomile oil; reflex excitability was always manifestly reduced, and the specific reflex excitement of strychnia-poisoning was antagonized. (PHILLIPS, op. cit.).
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.