Introduction
(With AMYGDALA AMARA, the bitter almond; LAUROCERASUS, the cherry laurel; and KALI CYANATUM, the cyanide of potassium. [ “The venena cyanica all act in proportion to the prussic acid they contain or represent; they are partly products of the vegetable kingdom, and partly artificial chemical products.” (BOEHM, op. cit., p. 498.)]
Prussic acid. A compound of hydrogen and cyanogen – the latter itself consisting of carbon and nitrogen in combination. It is the poisonous element in cherry-laurel water and oil of bitter almonds; but is obtained for medical purposes by distilling the yellow prussiate of potash with sulphuric acid and water.
Provings
1a. ASSMANN took on May 21st, at 7 a. m., gtt. j of Vauquelin’s acid (3.3 per cent.) in 3j water. Felt nothing but slight scraping in larynx soon after and some weariness about noon. At 3 p. m. took gtt. ij, in 3j water. In few minutes confusion of head, dimness and fog before eyes, and feeling in head like slight intoxication; tension in forehead, considerable scraping in larynx. In evening marked weariness of whole body, and especially of legs. At night long and deep sleep. More mucus than normal secreted and coughed up from trachea in evening May 22nd. Took at 7 a. m. gtt. iij in 3j water. Almost immediately mist before eyes, heaviness and pressive sensation in forehead, and compression of whole head; scraping in larynx. In 1/2 hour respiration oppressed; after 1 hour could not move body without effort. With this, depression of spirits, and disinclination for all bodily or mental work, all day. At 9 a. m. sensation in chest as if constricted across, without pain. Appetite gone at noon, but unusually ravenous in afternoon. Pulse unaltered.
1b. May 26th, at 8 a. m., took gtt. j of Ittner’s acid (10 per cent.) in 3j water. Soon after general confusion of head and some weariness for some hour. June first, 3 p. m., took gtt. iij in 3j water. Soon scraping in larynx, confusion and dull feeling of pain in forehead. Slight pressure and tightness of chest. In morning prostration and weariness. June 2nd, 8 a. m., took gtt iij in 3j water. Immediately obscuration of vision, with sensation of intoxication, and an out-pressing pain, gradually becoming more violent, shooting and boring, in forehead and orbits. Some minutes later tickling and scraping in larynx, causing frequent dry cough. At same time pressure, afterwards shooting pain, in both sides of chest, respiration became difficult and deep, and all movements, especially walking, became difficult, and brought on perspiration. The dim sight and pain in head soon went off, but then came on palpitation and flying shoot in heart. Soon after taking dose there was eructation with taste of acid, and after this feeling of lump lying in and pressing on stomach, gradually changing to shooting pain, which subsided after a time, leaving sense of pressure. At 9 a. m., after eating bread and butter, discomfort with loathing, afterwards heartburn and waterbrash, with great flow saliva. At noon these symptoms were allayed, and he had increased hunger with dislike of food At 1 p. m., on going out, violent hiccup lasting 1 hour, going off after cup of coffee, but frequently recurring in afternoon, especially after drinking water. Weakness, exhaustion, ill-humour and anorexia lasted till late in evening, and pain in forehead and chest recurred occasionally. Pulse but little slower than normal. No increase of urine. Tendency to heat and perspiration. (JORG, Mat. zu ein. kunft. Heilm., 1825.)
2a HEISTERBERGK took, May 20th, at 3 p. m., gtt. 1/2 of Vauquelin’s acid in 3j water. No effect from first; 15 minutes after second pressive sensation in forehead for some minutes. Pulse regular. May 22nd, at 8 a. m., gtt. iij in 3j water. Scraping in guilet, pulse irregular in force of some beats for 10 morning. In first 1/2 hour some flying stitches in right 5th and 6th ribs near sternum. Slight pressure in forehead.
2b. May 25th, at 8 a. m., gtt. j of Ittner’s acid in 3j water. Only slight scraping in throat. May 26th, at 8 a. m., gtt. ij in 3j. Symptoms as on 22nd, but pain in chest was pressive. May 28th, at 8 a. m., gtt. iij in 3j. Scraping and tickling in throat and pressive pain in chest, lasting 1/2 hour. In afternoon, shooting for 20 minutes under right short ribs. (Ibid.)
3a. KNESCHKE took, May 20th, 3:30 p. m., gtt. 1/2 of Vauquelin’s acid in 3j water. In 5 m. slight confusion of head on right side, extending from occiput to forehead and causing slight pressure there, lasting 15 m.. May 21st, 7 a. m., gtt. j in 3j. In 3 m. confusion in right side of head, with slight pressure in occiput and sinciput of same side, lasting 45 m. Slight scraping in throat from 8 a. m. till noon. At 3:30 p. m. gtt. ij in 3j. In 1 morning confusion of whole head, with transient vertigo. 5 m. later a more violent pressure in occiput and sinciput, mostly on right side, for 1 hour. Confusion lasted till night, and so did a troublesome scraping in throat, which came on 1/2 hour after taking acid, like what occurs after eating freely of walnuts. Slept quietly and soundly. May 22nd, l7 a. m., gtt. iij in 3j. In 4 m. a peculiar stupefaction and vertigo; surrounding objects seemed to be moving, and a slight veil was before eyes. Could with difficulty stand on feet. In 2 m. this went off, and was followed by confusion and pressure in head as before, lasting till noon, going off then in open air. Scraping came on immediately after taking dose, and lasted till evening. Ate heartily at noon, and at 2 p. m. felt quite well. After this great prostration and lassitude, could not work, irresistible yawning and sleepiness, must go to sleep again. After 1/2 hour more woke pretty thoroughly, but confusion in head lasted till evening. In afternoon passed much watery urine, causing burning in the urethra as if passed. Pulse at 4 p. m. 5 beats slower than usual, normal in evening. Slept soundly and quietly. May 23rd. Another dose of 3 drops caused same succession of symptoms as on previous day, but slighter in degree.
3b. May 24th. Took gtt. 1/2 of Ittner’s acid at 7 a. m. in 3j water. Confusion, pressure and scraping followed, but were slight and brief. On May 25th, gtt. j brought them on again, and they lasted till noon. May 26th, at 7 a. m., took 2 drops. Immediately vertigo, lasting some m.. Then confusion and painful pressure (always worse on right side) till 2 p. m. Head thence freer, but lassitude and weariness till late in evening. Scraping all day: diuresis without scalding. Sleep sound. On 27th, 3 drops produced same effect, and from 9 to noon peculiar sore feeling in skin of thighs. (Ibid.)
4a. OTTO took, May 20th, 3:30 p. m., gtt. 1/2 of Vauquelin’s acid. In 15 m. scraping as with others, lasting till 7. In 1 hour slight pressure in sinciput, giving place to peculiar sensation in upper nasal fossae; it seemed as if mephitic air passed through them to Schneiderian membrane, causing prickling sensation in latter. Pressure on head lasted till 5:30 p. m., gradually increasing, but not amounting to actual pain. At same time contraction of chest, with stitches there on taking deep breath. May 21st, at 7:30 a. m., gtt. j in 3j water. Scraping as before. At 9 tightness of chest, with slight pressure in cardiac region, followed soon by pressure in head from vertex to both frontal regions and orbits, where it fixed itself; also pressure in cardiac region, followed soon by pressure in head from vertex to both frontal regions and orbits, where it fixed itself; also pressure from occiput to nape. Though not pain, this pressure caused slight confusion of head. Between 9 and 10 extraordinary weariness and drowsiness. At 11:30 all right, except occasional slight pressure here and there in head. At 3:30 p. m., 2 drops. Scraping became a peculiar prickling irritation from larynx to low down in trachea, exciting hacking cough. Windpipe felt as when hoarseness occurs after chill, or when dog-hips have been eaten, and some of the hairs remain in the gullet. At 7 this changed into dry feeling of mouth and larynx. Soon after affection of windpipe showed itself there was tightness of chest, but not stitches. Once only there was concurrent pressure on right side of thorax: pulse then fell from 65 to 60. 1 hour after dose, pressure began in occiput, and spread to now 55 to 58. Urine passed more frequently, but not out of proportion to fluid taken. By 7 nearly well, but pulse continued down till bedtime. May 22nd, at 7:15 a. m., gtt. iij in 3j. In 15 minutes felt as if everything moved slowly about him, and became giddy without staggering; at same time usual pressure on left side of head. Eyes seemed immovable, fixed on one point, pupils somewhat dilated, after wards contracted, and remaining so all day. Pulse less energetic, sometimes strong, sometimes weak, and quickened from 62 to 68. This state, resembling intoxication, lasted 10-15 minutes, then suddenly ceased, and in 1/2 hour felt quite well. But this feeling was disturbed by tightness of chest and dyspnoea; felt as if he could not expand lungs properly. After this, again pressure in head, this time more on right side; afterwards drowsiness, which he could resist, though he often yawned. At 10 a. m. pulse again 60. All symptoms gone by 11:30. May 23rd, at 7:15 p. m., gtt. iij again, followed by same symptoms. Notes that eyelids were wide open. Pressure on head jumped from spot to spot; and, with drowsiness, lasted during afternoon. Diuresis again noticed.
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.