Introduction
Viscum album, L. Mistletoe. Nat. Ord., Loranthaceae.
Provings
1. PROLL proved tinct., beginning with 1 dr., and increasing by same quantity daily till he had reached 40 dr. He then felt sensation on dorsum of l. hand as if a large spider were crawling over it, and soon after had same feeling in right hand. He then left off the proving. About a fortnight later he suddenly felt very strange, as if he must fall down. He felt a glow rising up from feet to head, and it seemed to him as if he were on fire. At same time his face became very pale. On taking a glass of wine this sensation went off; but it recurred 3 times during the winter. This same winter, moreover, while travelling, he suddenly felt in right foot a violent aching pain from within outwards that compelled him to take off his boot as if it were too tight. This sensation went off in an h. He had frequent recurrences of these symptoms for two years. ( Allg. h. Zeit., xcvi, No. 9.).
Poisonings
1. Dr. BELCHER made a tinct. by macerating equal parts of leaves and berries in alcohol for 3 day, in proportion of Zij of former to Zxvj of latter, and filtering. This he gave in 5 dr. doses 3 times a day to a girl of 17 affected with chores, but otherwise (though of highly nervous temperament) seemingly well. On – giddiness, drowsiness, and stupor having been succeeded by almost entire insensibility. She lay motionless, eyes closed as if in sound sleep, but could readily be roused by a loud noise, when she would answer questions; on relapse into former condition there was a slight disposition to stertorous breathing; pulse was small, quick, and very irregular, skin warm and very moist, pupils contracted and at first insensible to light. Under treatment as for narcotic poisoning has made a good recovery. ( Monthly Hom. Rev., xii, 284.)
2. Two women, aet. 18 and 21, took V. to procure abortion. Every muscle of the body, save those of the eyes, became paralysed; bowels were obstinately constipated, showing a similar condition of intestinal canal; they could not speak or swallow; and both died on 8th – 9th day, literally starved. (ALLEN’s Encyclopaedia, x, 154.)
3. A boy, aet, 14, left house quite well; but about 40 m. afterwards was found lying in the street insensible. Dr. Dixon found him, 20 m. later, like on intoxicated; countenance suffused, lips livid, conjunctive injected, pupils slightly dilated and fixed; pulse slow, full and bounding; breathing slow and stertorous. Temp. was normal. On pricking soles, limbs were quickly drawn up. Patient was roused by cold affusion to spine, when he talked incoherently, had spectral illusions, and was inclined to be violent. this state continued 2 hours, when he fell asleep. (An emetic had brought up 8 partly masticated berries of mistletoe.) Next m. he was well, and said that soon after swallowing the berries he began to feel giddy, and remembered nothing more. ( Brit. Medorrhinum Journ., i, 224.).
Experiment on animals
1. We placed on the tongue of a large rabbit 2 grms, of visco – resin; he ate them readily, and with pleasure, for he licked his lips. In about 1/4 hours he stretched his four legs, which became very stiff; he underwent contraction and startings in abdominal and dorsal muscles. These phenomena became all at once so violent that, although lying on his left side, he made a leap to the height of more than 2 metres, falling back very nearly into same place, where he kept shaking or some m.; then, getting up, he walked as if drunk about 20 paces, and at last went into a most violent fit of epilepsy, which lasted more than 1/2 hours, which head at last went into a most violent fit of epilepsy, which lasted more than 1/2 hours, with head turned backwards and to 1. During the attack there was a seminal emission, on which it ceased almost immediately. The rabbit walked a few steps, and then slept for nearly 20 h. The day after he awoke, walked as if drunk, and drank some water, but did not eat till next day (LAVILLE DE LA PLAIGNE, see Brit. Journ. of Hom., xxv, 684.).
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.