Introduction
Tartaric acid. C4H6O6.
Provings
1. NENNING. (See Acidum hydrocyanicum.) Seems to have taken a substantial dose, and had symptoms of irritation of mouth, throat stomach and bowels, with confusion of head (1 hour); drawing pain on soles near heel, which hinders his putting feet to ground; weakness, especially of lower extremities, and general cold sensation at night in bed. He felt better in open air. (Prakt. Mittheilungen, 1827, p. 27.).
Poisonings
1. Man swallowed 3j in warm water. Complained immediately of burning sensation in throat and stomach, “as if he were on fire.” Vomiting set in, and continued till death 9 days after. On inspection nearly whole alimentary canal was found highly inflamed. (TAYLOR, Poisons, sub voce.).
Experiments on animals
1. POMMER found that when 15 grs. in 3ss of water were injected into femoral vein of dog in 4 doses, difficult breathing and discharge of faeces and urine were produced after each operation, and death ensued without any other particular symptom. Heart continued contractile long after death, and no change was found in blood. (CHRISTISON, op. cit., sub voce.)
2. MITSCHERLICH found that while animals were under influence of poison respiration was accelerated, and it then became laborious and slow. Great debility was a prominent symptom, and it soon ended in paralysis, death being preceded by slight spasms. In the fatal cases, it was not found to excite inflammation of small intestines. (TAYLOR, 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.