Epiphegus virginiana

Volume II — Main text

EPIPHEGUS . Epiphègus virginiana, Michaux (Orobanche virginiana, L.). Beech drops. Nat. Ord., Orobanchacea. I. Provings.-1. RALPH MORDEN, M.D. , April 1st, 1882, at 5.30 p.m., took 3j oftinct. At 6 some pain in r. and (slighter) in 1. temple, lasting until he went to bed. May 15th.-Took 5ss. No marked effect for 1 h.; took 3ss more. In 15 m. decided pain in r. temple, slight in l., lasting 3 h. and leaving dull heavy aching behind. Also viscid saliva, and almost constant desire to spit. No marked change in pulse. June 23rd.-Took 60 dr. No symptoms for an h.; then repeated dose. Almost immediately felt slight pain inl. temple,sense of fulness infore part of head, and peculiar sticky viscid taste in mouth. At 3.30 p.m. marked pain inboth temples as if from pressure of finger-ends in temporal fossæ; worse 1. side and lasting till e. Feb. 1st, 1883, at 1.30 p.m. took 3j of 1, dil. In 20 m. slight pain inl. temporal region ; viscid taste. At 2.30 repeated dose. In 15 m. sense of fulness in head, scalp felt tight; could not read because words seemed blurred, and when he went to write couldnot formthe letters he wished ; also found himself using wrong words. Oссаsionally piercing pain in r. temple. By 8 p.m. had taken two more such doses. Headache in r.temple, full feeling in fore part of head, eyes smarting, saliva viscid. 2nd.-Headache in l. temple during n., especially on sitting up in bed. Better this m.; no pain in head,but sensation as if something 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 m. At 2.45 took 3ss more. From that time till retiring severe headache in front part of head, worse in r. temple. 7th.-At 8.40 a.m. took 3ss of tinct. In 5 m. severe pain in middle of forehead; at 9 severest in r. temple,walking in open air makes itworse. At9.45 repeated dose. 10.30, severe continuous pain in r. temple. 11, same pain still severe, some nausea, general languor. 8th.-Headache occurred occasionallyall d., with pain in 1. shoulder and knee. For several d. uneasy feeling in fore part of head; also difficulty in passing stool, though fæces were soft. (BOERICKE and 2. I induced TAFEL'S Bulletin,a Jan., young1884. 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, worse on 1. side. He alsohad the peculiar condition of the saliva I have attempted todescribe. (Ibid.)