Introductions
Including the pure (precipitated) metal, the chloride – P. muriaticum, 2 HCL, PtCI4, and the chloride of P. and sodium -P muriaticum natronatum, 2 NaCL, PtCI4,6H2O.
Provings
HAHNEMANN, Chronic Diseases, part v. of original, vol. of translation. Contains 527 symptoms from self and one other.
2a. HOFER rubbed skin of back of hand with concentrated solution of chloride. After 2 or 3 m. spot becomes seat of itching like that of scabies; and skin, coloured yellow by the chloride, becomes covered with small rose – red elevations, which disappear in 3 – 4 m. more On washing glans penis and prepuce with same, there followed great itching, soon associated with heat and annoying prickings; some urethritis followed, with a little dysuria. After some hours, there were seen around glans slight elevations, of somewhat livid hue, size of a pin’s head, which a casual glance might take for commencing chancres. After 8 – 12 hours, all had returned to its normal state.
2b. H. now took 5 centigr. in glass of water. This producing no effect, he increased dose daily till he took 2 decigr. From this dose he experienced some acidity of stomach, with slight headache. Pulse was normal, and all went off in 25 – 30 m. Next evening he took 4 decigr. at a dose. In 1/4 hours he had slight shuddering; pulse was quickened (85); heat and weight at stomach; violent headache, especially towards occiput; constriction of larynx, sufficiently strong to embarrass speech and breathing; nausea, with inclination to vomit. These symptoms went on increasing for 5 – 6 m., but then disappeared rapidly, leaving only metallic taste in mouth, which lasted some h.
2c. 2 day later, hours took same dose, but in open air (former experiment having been made indoors). Same symptoms supervened, but less strongly; there was also for some hours slight fibrillary twitching in occipital muscle, and in those of back and extremities.
2d. H. now took 1 decigr. of the double chloride of Pl. and sodium. This having no effect, he next day took 2 decigr. In 15 – 20 m., heat and sense of weight in region of stomach, borborygmi, transient colics; passage of flatus upwards and downwards; headache scarcely felt. Later in day he took 4 decigr. in two doses, with 2 hours interval between them. To previous symptoms were added nausea and inclination to vomit, with considerable augmentation of saliva and of urine. This last was still marked on the following m. (Gaz. Medorrhinum, 1840.).
Experiments on animals
1. HOFER gave a rabbit 1 grm. of chloride in water. 42 m. after it the animal died in very strong convulsions. On opening body, parts of gastric interior were coloured yellow; and its whole mucous membrane, as also that of oesophagus, was softened, in parts destroyed, and throughout easily detached. Blood in heart was fluid. Viscera of cranium, thorax, and abdomen showed nothing abnormal. (Ibid.)
2. To a large rabbit hours gave 2 grm. of the double salt. Death occurred after 2 hours 50 m., preceded by copious purging. Stomach was found only slightly tinged with yellow, but softened, and at one spot (in greater curvature) perforated. Blood in heart was coagulated. (Ibid.).
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.