Veratrum Viride


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


Introduction

Veratrum viride, Willd. American hellebore. Nat. Ord., Melanthaceae.

Provings

1. Mr. WORTHINGTON took gr. 1/4 of alcoholic extr. It caused acrid, burning sensation in mouth, and communicated to throat and fauces a sensation of dryness and heat, which finally reached the stomach. In the course of an hour this feeling became intense, and a disposition to hiccup was excited which soon commenced, gradually increasing in frequency, until it reached 15-20 times in m. This was attended with some sickness and retching, until vomiting took place, which was violent, and recurred every 10-15 m. for space of an h. During this time dizziness and tremor were present. With the hiccup there was copious secretion of saliva, and discharge of mucus from stomach and nose. During action of dose, pulse was weakened so as to be scarcely perceptible, and reduced from 68 to 52. This experiment was repeated 3 times, and in neither was there any disposition to catharsis. (HALE, New Remedies, 2nd ed.)

2.a. Dec. 20th, 1832, evening, I took 2 gr. of extr. prepared from juice of root. Slight glow in stomach followed, but no other effect. In 1/2 hours took 4 gr. Nothing occurred for 1/2 hours save an increase of this feeling; but then began sensation as if stomach were slowly contracting on its contents and forcing them into oesophagus, producing sensation as of a ball at top of sternum. Also, sensation at epigastric as if a full dose of calomel were operating. About 3/4 hours after last dose vomiting was produced, without effort or the least nausea. This was several times repeated, and hiccup accompanied; much bile was thrown up, and there was great increase of salivary secretion. Skin with this was cool; much dizziness; cloud before eyes; great prostration; considerable fatigue of muscles; pulse very weak, small and soft, 34 only. Sense of contraction at stomach increased and became very disagreeable, still without nausea. About 3/4 hours after first vomiting I took Zss of laudanum, and in 20 m. 45 dr. more. Relief soon followed, and I went to sleep, and slept quietly till next m., when I awoke feeling unusually well.

2 b. About 8 a. m. took 3 gr. No effect for 2 hours, when there began to be queer feelings about head. Sensation of cramp in gastrocnemii followed, with inability to exert them; there was no contraction in them, but rather paralysis. This feeling went off in about an h. At 12:15 took 3 gr. more. Some sensation in gastrocnemii returned, and muscles of forearm were also affected in like manner. Vomiting followed in 45 m., with same symptoms as on n. before, but in less degree. Laudanum again relieved. Two gr., taken in evening, cause slight vomiting but no other trouble.

2 c. I afterwards took gr. 1/4 every 3 hours for 3 d. A feeling of clumsiness of limbs was produced, and several times the peculiar muscular affection before mentioned. It seemed to affect any muscles that had been fatigued from previous exertion. The feeling of contraction of stomach was occasionally perceived. (W., in Bost. Medorrhinum and Surg. Journ., x, 216.)

3. Dr. EPHRAIM CUTTER, April 7th, 1862, put 60 min. of tinct. of his own preparation into Zj of vehicle, and took 1/7 of whole at 6:30 p. m., pulse being 60. At 7 pulse was 52. At 7:30 took a second dose. At 9:30 pulse still 52: took another dose. At 10:30, pulse 48; no nausea or unpleasant symptom, save very slight uneasiness at epigastrium. Slept soundly as usual. ( Monthly Hom. Rev., vi, 496.)

4. Dr. WOODWARD, aet. 50, very nervous, pulse normally 90, resp. 20. At 8 p. m., after a busy day, pulse 94, took 8 dr. of Norwood’s tinct. In 1 hours pulse 87, resp. 18. In 2 hours pulse 80, resp. 16; took 4 dr. more. In 3 hours pulse 75, resp. 14, lassitude. In 4 hours pulse 65, with sense of sinking at heart, resp. 12; took 3 dr. more. In 10 m. felt nausea; pulse 50, resp. 8. In 15 m. more he vomited; pulse 42, resp. 6; profuse diaphoresis, and sense of utter prostration. Slept well that n., and awoke without any trace of trouble. ( Phil. Medorrhinum and Surg. Rep., Nov. 3rd, 1860, p. 199.)

5. At noon took 2 gr. pulverised extract. 1 p. m., uneasiness in stomach, not amounting to nausea. This continued till 1:30 p. m. when vomiting ensued, which occurred without nausea, but with a sense of rising in oesophagus like rumination. Felt as though muscular fibres of stomach contracted gradually and steadily on its contents till they were expelled, the diaphragm and abdominal muscles remaining entirely inactive. After the vomiting had continued a considerable time, it appeared to be more the effect of spasmodic action, and was attended with chills and coldness of whole body, but moist skin. After 1 hours vomiting ceased, and was followed by dimness of sight, dilated pupils, vertigo, faintness and drowsiness; pulse 40, hardly perceptible. Took mxxv laudanum and fell asleep. After 1 hour woke with same symptoms and dull pain in epigastrium, so again took laudanum. But finding no relief, dimness of sight increasing, and amounting almost to blindness on moving body or turning head, and stiff sensation in muscles, especially temporal and extensors of head, with general prostration, took a double dose of laudanum. This relieved him. (OSGOOD, Amer. Journ. of Medorrhinum Sc., xvi, 302.)

6. A medical man took at 9 p. m. 2 gr. In 1/4 hours slight uneasiness of stomach. 9:30 p. m. 4 gr. 10 p. m. feeling of a ball rising in oesophagus as far as top of sternum, as if propelled by a gradual tonic contraction of stomach. 10:15 p. m. vomiting commenced, at first mildly but then more heaving, ejections chiefly of bile, much ineffectual retching, constant hiccup, chilliness, dimness of vision, vertigo, inability to control voluntary muscles, distress of stomach, pulse small and creeping, 34 (usually 56). Took laudanum Zss, which sent him to sleep. At 7 a. m. took 3 grs. 9 a. m. confused head and almost entire loss of power of gastrocnemii muscles. At noon, 3 grs. 12:30 p. m. all muscles of forearm similarly affected. 1 p. m. vomiting, pulse 40, and other symptoms of previous day 2:30 took laudanum, mxlv, and in 2 hours all symptoms subsided except powerlessness of gastrocnemii muscles. 11 p. m. 2 gr., which in 3/4 hours caused vomiting but nothing besides. The same prover took subsequently 1/2 gr. every 3 hours, which after 3 doses caused uneasiness of stomach and paralysed condition of extensors of feet. 1/4 gr. every 3 hours caused similar symptoms but less markedly. 1/8 gr. every 3 hours caused diuresis. (Ibid.)

7. Dr. JAMES WATSON and a fellow-student proved a tinct. prepared by Dr. Cutter. At 6:15 p. m., their pulses being 64, they took 8 dr., and repeated dose 3 times at 1/2 hours intervals, but without effect. Dr. Watson then proved another tinct. prepared by Duncan and Flockhart, taking 8 min. at 3 p. m., and repeating dose at 5. No change in pulse or other effect was observed till 7, when he was troubled a good deal with flatulence. In a few m. more he began to feel nauseated, and would have vomited had he not restrained the tendency. Force and frequency of pulse were now diminished. Griping in bowels now followed, also sickness and weakness with considerable pain at epigastrium. there was heavy dull headache with occasional throbbing in temples. Pulse (70 at 3 p. m.) was now 64. Pain in bowels continued, and he felt himself growing weaker; but nevertheless took another 8 dr. at 7. At 7:15 debility was greater still, and he felt that he must soon vomit. Pain in stomach and bowels became much more severe, clammy cold sweat broke out on forth weak; the retching was attended with intense pain, at times almost amounting to agony. While vomiting, which he continued to do till about 8, it required all his remaining strength to support himself. Pain was at this time most severe over front of chest, with occasional twitching in small intestines. He was now attacked by one or two cold shivers. Feet and hands became cold and numbed, though there was a large fire blazing in grate. This cold numbness crept up legs and arms, and at last whole body felt as if enveloped in cold damp cloths, and he became quite prostrate. Hands and feet were quite cold; pulse 40. Flatulence continued pretty constant till 8:15, when he vomited again, less painfully; clammy cold sweat remained, and whole surface felt benumbed. At 8:30 bowels were slightly moved, and after this griping nearly disappeared. Depression and prostration continued, but gradually went off after taking some wine. Face was very pale after vomiting, but pupils were not dilated. (Edinb. Medorrhinum Journ., ix, 616.)

8.a. Dr. BURT, in perfect health, took at 9:50 a. m., Dec. 21st, 30 dr. of 3x dil. of fl. extr. (prepared with water). 10, sharp drawing pain over left eye, with contracted feeling of skin of forehead. 10:30, constant dull frontal headache, with neuralgic pains in right temple, close to eye. 11, dull pains over eye, with quite severe drawing pains in umbilical region; pulse 67. Took 50 dr. 12, slight frontal headache, with pricking pains in region of heart and frequent drawing pains in umbilical region; pulse 70. Took 60 dr. 2, drawing pains in forehead; natural stool. Took 100 dr. 7, very frequent pains about cardia. Took 175 dr. Slight dull frontal headache; neuralgic pains in right elbow and calves; sharp flying pains in epigastric and umbilical regions. Pulse 66.

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.