Introduction
Epiphegus virginiana, Michaux (Orobanche virginiana, L.). Beech drops. Nat. Ord., Orobanchaceae.
Provings
I. RALPH MORDEN, M. D., April 1st, 1882, at 5:30 p. m, took 3j of tinct. At 6 some pain in right and (slighter) in left temple, lasting until he went to bed. May 15th. – Took 3ss. No marked effect for 1 hours; took 3ss more. In 15 morning decided pain in right temple, slight in left, lasting 3 hours and leaving dull heavy aching behind. Also viscid saliva, and almost constant desire to spit. No marked change impulse. June 23rd. – Took 60 dr. No symptoms for an hour; then repeated dose. Almost immediately felt slight pain in left temple, sense of fulness in fore part of head, and peculiar sticky viscid taste in mouth. At 3:30 p. m. marked pain in both temples as if from pressure of finger-ends in temporal fossae; worse left side and lasting till evening February 1st, 1883, at 1:30 p. m., took 3j of Ix dil. In 20 morning slight pain in left temporal region; viscid taste. at 2:30 repeated dose. In 15 morning sense of fulness in head, scalp felt tight; could not read because words seemed blurred, and when he went to write could not form the letters he wished; also found himself using wrong words. Occasionally piercing pain in right temple. By 8 p. m. had taken two more such doses. Headache in right temple, full in fore part of head, eyes smartings, saliva viscid. 2nd. – Headache in left temple during night, especially on sitting up in bed. Better this morning; no pain in head, but sensation as if somethings was wrong there, especially in fore part; very bitter taste in mouth. At 11 a. m., took 3ss of same. 2:30 p. m.,, severe pain in middle of forehead, coming suddenly and lasting only a few morning. At 2:45 took 3ss more. From that time till retiring severe headache in front part of head, worse in right temple 7th. – At 8:40 a. m., took 3ss of tinct. In 5 morning severe pain in middle of forehead; at 9 severest in right temple, walking in open air makes it worse. At 9:45 repeated dose. 10:30, severe continuous pain in right temple. 11, same pain still severe, some nausea, general languor 8th. – Headache occurred occasionally all day, wit pain in left shoulder and knee. For several day uneasy feeling in fore part of head; also difficulty in passing stool, though faeces were soft. (BOERICKE and TAFEL’S Bulletin, January, 1884.)
2. I induced a young friend of mine to take some of the drug; but as soon as the head pained he desisted, and could not be induced to go on with the proving. He described his head pain as a pressing in the temples from without inwards, left side. He also had the peculiar condition of the salvia I have attempted to describe.(Ibid.).