Hyoscyamus niger

Volume II — Main text

HYOSCYAMUS.

Hyoscyamus niger, L. Henbane. Nat. Ord., Solanacea. I. Provings.-1. HAHNEMANN, Mat. Med. Pura, vol. iv of original, vol. i of translation. Contains 104 symptoms from self, 123 from 6 fellow- observers, and 355 from 44 authors. 2. a. SCHNELLER first proved extr. herbæ recentis alcoh.-aq., Ph. Bor. He began with gr. , and increased dose daily by same, arriving at last to gr. 51, and taking 574 gr. in all. The first 4 doses produced nothing remarkable. Two h. after taking gr. It he noticed dryness of lips, tongue, soft palate, and whole buccal cavity ; tongue was furred yellow, and taste insipid. Seven h. after gr. If there was confusion of senses, weakness of sight, and some difficulty of speaking, a state like slight intoxication. From 2 gr., besides dryness of throat with hoarseness, there was confusion in frontal region, spreading afterwards to sight and hearing ; restless sleep ; and scanty stool. From gr. 3-4 there was considerable disgust after taking dose ; dull frontal headache ; and in 7 h. cloudiness and weakness of vision, with normal pupils ; dryness of mouth increased, taste was disgusting, tongue furred yellow; considerable swelling of abdomen, with necessity to breathe deeply ; sour eructations ; diminished stools; pulse rather slow. From gr. 44 to 4 dryness of mouth diminished, but confusion of head remained ; frontal headache on 1. side and amblyopia set in, as also frequent inclination to yawn, and sleepiness. Every e. nausea. During last 2 doses above symptoms decreased in remarkable manner ; there was very little confusion of head ; sneezing frequently occurred, with sensation of approaching coryza (which now developed itself) ; sour

eructations were frequent, stool diminished, sleep good. After 2 d . was in normal state. b. S- now proved extr. herbæ recentis ex succo, Ph. Austr. He commenced with gr. , increasing daily by same ; afterwards he took larger doses, viz. gr. 11 and 18 ; altogether gr. 874. Whilst taking first 7 doses he had tickling and burning in throat, with increase of mucous secretion. On taking gr. 2-3 , mouth became dry, tongue furred white : there were slight gripings in umbilical region, voice became hoarse, appetite lessened. From gr. 3-4 dryness of throat decreased, and voice regained its clearness ; other symptoms continued, and peculiar drawing and tearing pain in joints, especially wrists and knees, came on, as also confusion of head and attacks of giddiness. From gr. 4-5 mouth and fauces became again extremely dry ; thick fur covered tongue; taste became insipid, with disgust at food and bad smell from mouth ; head confused. Here and there small furunculi appeared on face ; vision became weak and conjunctiva somewhat injected. He left off for 2 d., when all became normal, save injection of conjunctiva. The dose of II gr. caused in an h. giddiness and reticulated vision, with r. frontal headache, soon followed by prickling sensation in arms and thereafter viscid perspiration on them ; at same time great heat, redness and congestion of face, which went off in h. The dryness , &c., came later, involving also cavity of nose, with pain at root ; very little mucus mixed with blood was secreted. To this were joined empty eructations, oppression of stomach, slight gripings with soft stool, appetite much diminished, pulse accelerated, sleepiness . Last dose of gr. 184 was taken at 7.30 p.m. About 8.15 recurred slight vertigo, with cloudiness of vision and dilated pupils ; sensation as of a foreign body in eye ; upper lids felt heavy from sleepiness ; conjunctiva injected ; arms felt as if a warm air were breathed upon them. At 9 dryness of mouth occurred, with usual accessories ; taste metallic, head confused. At 10, eructation and nasty taste, with inclination to vomit ; discharge of flatus. Mouth remained dry all n. , as also nose ; sleep restless. In m. teeth and allmouth werecovered with ayellowish mucus, taste disgusting, voice hoarse. In 2 d. all was right again : furred tongue and diminished appetite continued longest. Stools were on the whole rather increased. (Z. f. Ver. hom. Aerzt. Oest., i. ) 3. I took, on several occasions, 10, 20, 30, and even 40 gr. of the ordinary extr., and experienced only a little headache, with disturbed vision, dryness of mouth, sweetish taste, whitish and viscid coat on tongue,-symptoms which soon disappeared. On Sept. 12th, 1821, I took, fasting, 10 gr. of another extr. After an h. , slight headache which went on increasing, pastiness of mouth with singular perversion of taste, which seemed a mixture of sweet, salt and bitter, and prevented my tasting any substance I tried. My tongue was white ; I felt at the same time dryness and heat of throat ; my skin was warm and transpiring, my pulse a little quickened ; slight tendency to sleep, to which I gave myself up for a short time ; on waking, pupils so dilated that no iris could be seen ; notable weakening of sight, staggeringwalk, numbness oflower extremities. My mentalfaculties remained free. At end of 4 h. these symptoms had ceased. Next d., nothing

remaining save dryness of mouth and the peculiar taste, I repeated the experiment with the same result. (RATIER, Arch. Gén. de Méd., i, 307. 1823.) 4. LEMBKE took, Feb. 17th to 19th, 8 a.m., 2 dr. tinct. No effect.- 20th, 7 a.m., between 10 and 12 a.m. head oppressed, vertigo, especially when walking, quite often unsteady and staggering ; this repeatedly during following hours. At n. restless sleep, frequent waking, tossing about.- 25th, 7 a.m., 5 dr. No effect.-March 2nd, 7 a.m., 6 dr. Stool scanty and hard. 3 p.m., pressive pain in stomach. -3rd and 4th. Hard scanty stool.-5th, 7 a.m., 10 dr. 8 a.m. , scraping and dryness in fauces ; head confused, full ; later hot. 9 a.m., heat through back ; stool slow and scanty, also on 6th, following d. normal.- 10th, 7 a.m., 10 dr. Soon, head confused, hot, full, the heat deep in head ; pupils at first dilated then contracted. 8.30, general heat ; very distended veins ; scraping in throat repeatedly. 9 a.m., heaviness and pressure in head, especially forehead ; severe shooting in larynx, followed by dry cough with sweetish taste of blood (a not uncommon symptom). At n. violent pressure in umbilical region, somewhat relieved by pressing on it, still felt next m., going off after stool.- 14th, 7 a.m., 10 dr. Head confused, hot. 8 a.m., scraping and dryness of throat.- 20th, 7 a.m., 15 dr. Soon, dilated pupils, after 1 h. contracted. 8 a.m., scraping in throat ; headconfused, dazed, especially in forehead, till 9 a.m.-25th, 7.30 a.m., 15 dr. No symptoms.-26th, 7 a.m. , 15 dr. 7.30 a.m., sinciput heavy. 8 a.m., scraping in throat ; sinciput remained heavy and dazed, especially when stooping, till 3 p.m.- 29th, 7 a.m., 15 dr. Sinciput heavy, confusedtill 3 p.m.-30th, 7 a.m., 15 dr. No symptoms. For 2 or 3 weeks the urine is very high coloured and scanty ; the following days it became normal.-April 1st, 9 a.m., 15 dr. No symptoms.-2nd, 7 a.m., 20 dr. Continued scraping and dryness ofthroat from 8 a.m. till 2 p.m.-3rd, 7 a.m., 20 dr. No symptoms. -1 Ith, 7 a.m. , 25 dr. After h. considerable heat in face and head for 1 h .- 13th, 7 a.m., 25 dr. After h. head confused, hot, dazed for h.; several times during d. pressure, heat in forehead, some epistaxis with relief, later some pain.-16th, midnight, 20 dr. No symptoms.- 18th, midnight, 20 dr. No symptoms. (N. Z. f. h. Kl., i, 57.) 5. Dr. KEIL took, Sept. 19th, 5.45 a.m., 10 dr. tinct. 9 a.m., pulsating pressure in stomach while sitting ; soon afterwards momentary shooting in l. side of abdomen ; the pressure in stomach returns and goes up to r. side of chest.-26th, 5.45 a.m., 20 dr. After h . , gnawing pressure in stomach. Towards e. same sensation.-Oct. 2nd, 8.50 a.m., 30 dr. No symptoms.-9th, 9 a.m., 50 dr. After dinner, 2p.m., sensation in 1. hypochondrium as if flatulence accumulated there ; after a glass of water pressure in stomach ; fatigue of eyes ; soon a kind of heartburn, repeated p.m. From p.m. till e. confused head. At n. woke with violent throbbing headache ; the carotids beat strongly ; the pain went off during sleep, no trace of it in m. At n. muscular twitching in arms (not an unusual symptom).- 10th, 9.45 a.m., burning in r. side of abdomen confined to a point.-Nov. 16th, 9.15a.m. , 50 dr. The headache of Oct. 9th recurred after I h. but was not severe. (Hom. Vierteljahrsch., ix, 242.) VOL . II . 42

1. Dr. GERSTER (æt. 31, health delicate, has many hæmorrhoidal symptoms ) made several provings with 15th and 3rd dil. without noteworthy results. He then took the tinct., which had no effect till he took, on Aug. 17th, 15 dr. In e. and next m.,heat in joint-head of last phalanx ofl.little finger, swelling of this condyle ; pressive pain, increased by movement, which is difficult.-18th. 20 dr.-19th. The pain in the finger is less.- 20th. The pain gone ; took 25 dr.- 22nd. Slight sensation ofpain and swelling of proximal joint of r. little finger.-28th, m. , 40 dr. II a.m., urging to urinate, sensitiveness of 2nd joint of r. index, swelling of it, and painfulness when slightly pressed.-30th. 42 dr., same symptoms as yesterday.-31st. When walking upstairs sensitiveness of r. metatarsus ; when walking over uneven pavement increased sensitiveness, feeling of pressure and tension in that part as if too full of blood. This lasted 9 d., and was often so severe as to cause him to limp. Also a corn on the r. little toe which had never given any pain was for a long time after the proving painful. (Ibid., 243.) 7. a. Dr. LINDERMANN, æt. 39, health good, made provings with 15th, 3rd and tinct.-Feb. 14th, 4.45 a.m., 8 dr. 3rd dil. Immediately bitter taste, empty eructation, warm feeling in belly, and frequent yawning. 5 a.m., forehead slightly confused ; sacrum as if bruised when lying on back (a common symptom). 5.15 a.m., call to stool ; bruised and warm sensation in knees and ankles ; inclination to stretch the limbs with relief to the pain. 5.30 a.m., warmth and discomfort in abdomen ; feeling of fulness in rectum, but inability to squeeze out flatus. 5.45 a.m., pain in sacrum and knees goes off after getting up. 7 a.m., scanty stool. Forenoon, forehead confused ; noon, very hearty appetite. Afternoon, call to stool with discharge offlatus, stool scanty, slow, and hard. 9 p.m., frequent and copious micturition ; flatus.- 17th, 6 a.m., 12 dr. Immediately, transient but repeated warmth and full feeling in belly ; feeling of fulness in rectum ; slight transient confusion of forehead ; deep yawning. 7 a.m., only slight bruised pain in sacrum. 7.30 a.m., empty eructation. After breakfast, soft, easy, and copious stool. At n., frequent micturition.- 18th, 6 a.m., 20 dr. Empty eructation once ; full feeling in rectum. 6.30 a.m., sacral pain, eructation, scanty soft stool ; mucous rattle in throat followed by hawking up of gelatinous blackish mucus. N., much urine passed.-19th, m., hawking up of same kind of mucus. Afternoon, full feeling of rectum not removed by copious stool. -24th, 6 a.m., 30 dr. Forehead confused ; great drowsiness and going to sleep ; awoke at 7, call to stool without result ; pulse 80 (it was 65 before taking the dose). Noon, scanty, slow, hard stool. No more symptoms up to 28th except retarded stool , ineffectual call to stool, which was generally scanty and soft. b. March 1st, 5.15 a.m., pulse 65, 3 dr. tinct. Immediately, disgusting bitter taste, empty eructation, yawning. After 2 or 3 m. slight cutting and pinching in umbilical region as before diarrhea, yawning and eructation again. 5.30, forehead confused, difficulty of thinking, drowsiness. 6 a.m., eructation and yawning ; the same at 6.30 a.m. Pulse 70. 7 a.m., some sacral pain. Afterbreakfast scanty stool. Afternoon, ineffectual call to stool. -2nd, m., scanty soft stool. -3rd, m., soft stool. Afternoon, call to stool. N., frequent micturi

tion.-4th, 5.45 a.m, 6 dr.; immediately transient disgusting taste, empty eructation. After 10 m., slight transient cutting and pinching in umbilical region ; forehead confused,drowsiness. 6.15a.m., eructation, yawning, bruised pain in sacrum, increased by sitting, relieved by walking. 7.15 a.m., scanty, slow, and soft stool.-5th, m., pulse 70. Call to stool without result. Afternoon, the same.-6th, 6 a.m. , 12 dr. Immediately disgusting taste, eructation, same pain in umbilical region, forehead confused. 7 a.m., pulse 80 ; later, in warm room chilliness, increased in open air. 9.30 a.m. , pressure in r. eyebrow and r. eyeball, which is sensitive to touch in upper part, r. pupil smaller than 1., transient gouty pain in 1. elbow, pupils not quite round, constant itching in 1. inner canthus, sacrum feels bruised even when walking, cold along spine, throbbing in frontal protuberance, r. eye more sensitive in open air and watery, distant vision worse than usual. Sacrum all d. as if bruised ; this goes off at noon. 3 p.m., pulse 70 ; ineffectual call to stool, discharge of flatus. E., after clyster copious lumpy stool. N. , many dreams.-7th, 6.15a.m., pulse 82. Sacrum bruised. 8.30 a.m., pulse 78. 9 a.m., copious, soft, easy stool. E., the above pain in both eyes, but worst in r.-8th, 5.30 a.m., pulse 76. Stool easy, soft. -9th, 6.15 a.m., pulse 74. Stool delayed but easy and soft. 10 p.m. , pulse 70, pupils dilated.- 10th, 5a.m., 15 dr. Disgusting taste, eructation, yawning. After 20 m. r. conjunctiva red, slight burning and watering of eyes, drowsiness. 6 a.m., pulse 72, pupils smaller. 6.15 a.m., forehead confused, pain in eyes as before, eructation, sacral pain when seated. 6.45 a.m., yawning, unusually good appetite ; after breakfast, stool soft, slow. 10.30 a.m., forehead confused when walking ; slight pressure in eyeballs, anxiety in warm room, flush of heat over spine, especially in lumbar region, searching and slight pinching in umbilical region, slight photophobia, watering of eyes in open air. 11 a.m., slight, transient oppression in cardiac region, causing sighing, unusually good appetite. Noon, pulse 73. 12.30 p.m., good appetite. 3.30 p.m., hot feeling in lumbar region in room, when sitting, pupils smaller, pulse 70. 5 p.m., great pain in sacrum when sitting, invincible drowsiness, yawning, discharge of flatus ; chilliness in spine in open air, bruised pain in sacrum when walking, much flatus discharged. E., drowsiness. N., many tiresome dreams.- 11th, 6 a.m., pulse 68. Forehead confused, sacrum as if bruised, going off when walking, returns at noon when sitting, hunger, flatus without stool. Noon, pulse 72. Afternoon, soft and sluggish stool.- 12th, m., scanty, sluggish, soft stool, bruised feeling in sacrum, weariness ofknees when walking. Afternoon,call to stool without result, enema brought away copious lumpy stool. E., pressive feeling in cardiac region, hot feeling in loins.- 13th, 7 a.m., pulse 70. Sacral pain when walking, forehead confused, stool scanty, easy, and soft. Afternoon, after enema dry stool, before and after much urging to stool. E., diarrheic stool.- 14th, 5.30 a.m., 30 dr. Pulse 76, disgusting taste. After 8 m. constant empty eructation, with taste of medicine ; soon afterwards pressive pain in umbilical region, forehead confused, eyes fatigued when reading, drowsiness. 6 a.m., loud rumbling in belly, ineffectual efforts to eructate, call to stool. 6.15 a.m., rumbling increased, slight burning

in eyes, giddy, nausea. 6.30 a.m., increase of pinching in umbilical region. 7 a.m., full feeling in rectum, relieved by eructation ; yawning, sudden chilliness in room ; stool soft , easy, scanty. Noon, an indescribable tiresome feeling rises suddenly from pit of stomach to sternum, and spreads out on either side of it; heat up back. Afternoon, call to stool, only flatus passed. 5 p.m., r. eyeball still sensitive, its pupil contracted. 7 p.m., pulse 68.-15th, 6 a.m., pulse 85. Stool scanty, sluggish, soft. Forenoon, transient pain in heart as before, heat up back. N., many dreams.- 16th, 5.45 a.m., pulse 70. Stool soft, easy, scanty. Afternoon, call to stool, with discharge of flatus only.-17th, 5.15 a.m., pulse 70. Sacrum feels bruised, stool soft, sluggish, scanty.- 26th, 5.30 a.m., 30 dr. Pulse 77, disgusting taste lasts long. After a few m. rumbling in abdomen. 5.45 a.m., eructation, soon afterwards drowsiness ; inability to fix attention when reading, pressive sensation in eyeballs, heaviness of upper lids, slight pinching about navel, fulness of vertex. 6 a.m., disgusting taste continues, slight transient nausea, then frequent yawning. 6.15 a.m., hunger. 6.30 a.m., difficulty of fixing attention when reading, return ofpinching in belly, drowsiness ; pulse 70, futile attempts to eructate, forehead confused, constant itching in 1. inner canthus, transient chilliness in back when walking in room ; uncommonly good appetite for breakfast. 7.45 a.m., stool dry and sluggish, pulse 70, slight transient chill in back, especially loins and sacrum, forehead confused, eyeballs sensitive to pressure, r. pupil contracted and drawn to an angle. 9.45 a.m. , pulse 80 after walking ; 30 dr. After h. eructation, fatigue of knees on going upstairs, pressure on eyeballs, which are painful when touched ; heat over back, also in open air, slight oppression of chest, especially in cardiac region ; heat in epigastrium, rising up to chest ; transient tearing in l. upper arm, then in forearm in its posterior aspect, increase of fatigue of knees, frequent yawning, ineffectual eructations, transient nausea, great appetite, slight pinching in belly. 10.45 a.m., pressure and anxiety in cardiac region, making him breathe deeply ; sweat on back and scrobiculus cordis. After II a.m. ineffectual efforts to eructate, yawning, hunger, pressure in cardiac region increased, fatigue of knees. Noon, pulse 70, much smaller than in m. 4.45 p.m. , pulse 70, rather fuller, r. pupil more contracted. E., ineffectual call to stool, invincible drowsiness, pain in sacrum. N., frequent and copious micturition, sleep restless, anxious dreams, pain in occiput.-27th, m . , sacral pain when sitting and stooping, forehead and occiput confused. 6 a.m., pulse 90, fuller than yesterday. Stool easy, soft, copious. 7.45 a.m., pulse 90, frequent micturition, hot feeling in sacrum and loins even in open air. 10 a.m. , hunger, pulse 90, all afternoon indisposed for study, invincible sleepiness, constant urging to stool, which only came at 6 p.m. after enema ; pulse 76. N., anxious dreams and restless sleep. Frequent micturition. 28th, 5.30 a.m., 50 dr. Pulse 70. Immediately eructation with taste of med. After 10 m. heaviness in upper eyelids and sleepiness, inability to think, forehead confused, yawning. 6 a.m., sacral pain when sitting, then slight transient pinching in umbilical region, head symptoms increased. 6.30 a.m., feeling in eyes as if he had not slept all n., head heavy, need to

sigh, pupils contracted, r. most, both not quite round, hunger, call to stool, chill down back in room, itching in 1. inner canthus, then in r. 7 a.m. , pulse 66, less full. 7.30 a.m., pulse 66, eyeballs sensitive to touch, good appetite for breakfast, stool soft, easy ; bright red deep-seated vessels in eyes, heat in sacrum and lumbar region. 10 a.m. , after moderate walking pulse 94, pupils more dilated, r. least so. 50 dr. Heat along back, then sweat on sacrum and in axillæ ; heat in scrob. cordis, oppression of chest, making him breathe deeply, knees tired on going upstairs, forehead confused ; all symptoms worse in heated room. Empty eructations, pupils much more dilated, quite round, sweat increased by walking, transient rheumatic (tearing, twitching, gnawing) pains on outer and back surface of 1. upper arm and lower end of l. ulna and scapula ; very transient stitches in heart. II a.m., the tightness of chest concentrated in cardiac region, eyeballs painful superiorly when moved outwards and upwards, a severer stitch in cardiac region, followed by oppression of heart with slight transient stitches, feeling of pressure in eyebrow, giddy. 11.30 a.m., pulse 73, small, pupils smaller, hunger. 11.45 a.m.,hypogastrium painful as from incarcerated flatulence, pulse 93, somewhat larger. 12.30 p.m., r. pupil contracted, frequent micturition, but quantity of urine not unusual ; diminished sexual appetite. 2 p.m., hunger ; from after dinner till 3 p.m. great drowsiness, with inability to study and weariness. 3 p.m., pulse 76, much larger and freer, both pupils rather dilated, 1. most so. 50 dr. After 15 m. slight transient pain in stomach and umbilical region,forehead confused. 3.15 p.m., ineffectual call to stool, with discharge of flatus, pulse 70 ; itching of l. inner canthus, slight pressure in heart, making him breathe deeply, tired knees, stomach painful on pressure, empty eructations, hunger, smarting in l. canthus. 4.30 p.m., pupils more dilated, sensitiveness of stomach increased, pinching as from flatulence in umbilical region, fatigue from walking, pain in loins. 6.30 p.m., pulse 80, small, forehead tense, occasional tightness ofchest, discharge of flatus, transient pain in l. upper or forearm, as if in bone, especially in lower end of humerus posteriorly. N., frequent micturition, quantity of urine not great.-29th, 6 a.m., could hardly be awakened he slept so soundly, head stupid, tension in forehead, conjunctiva of both eyes very much injected, especially of 1. eye, in which the lids stuck together slightly ; sclerotic vessels also injected, pupils not dilated, pulse 90 and broad. 7 a.m., forehead confused and warm, throbbing and drawing in r. frontal eminences, increased by movement and stooping, occiput tense, pressive sensation in r. eyeball, most felt when looking upwards and outwards ; after this the pain is most concentrated on 1. side of occiput ; it is as if sore and slightly burning, relieved by pressure, but then the pressure in forehead increases, compelling him to pucker up the skin. 8.30a.m., frontal pain worse, transient stitches in 1. scapula, stool soft, easy, scanty. 8.45 a.m., pulse 84, knees, feet, and joints of upper extremities as if bruised and fatigued ; drowsiness during occupation. 9 to 9.45 a.m., redness of 1. inner canthus increased, eye weeps and burns, head as ifsurrounded by a hoop, occasional transient shoots in 1. hip ; lameness of limbs, especially lower ones, trembling of r. hand when writing, the worse the

headache the more contracted the pupils. 10 a.m., pupils small, r. smaller than 1., transient pain in r. zygoma and upper maxilla, then transient dull pain in ears, especially 1., pain in forehead and eyes, increased in cool wind, becomes throbbing in 1. frontal protuberance, smarting on outside of 1. lower lid, soon afterwards of r. lid, fatigue of knees and lameness of lower limbs continues, sacral pains on stooping ; later, pain in temporal region, especially r., aggravated by cold air, relieved in room. 11 a.m., hunger, fatigue of knees. Noon, pulse 73, pinching as from flatulence about navel. 12.15 p.m. , pupils smaller, especially r., call to stool, great appetite. I p.m. , 1. frontal headache, drowsiness . 2 p.m. , call to stool, only flatus discharged ; forehead feels screwed in, full, general itching here and there. 2.30 p.m., pupils larger. Between 4 and 5 p.m. headache went off, frequent micturition all d. 6 p.m., when walking in open air suddenly violent shooting in r. side of neck at point of insertion of sterno-cleidomastoideus, soon going off on applying pressure. 6.30 p.m., pulse 90, pretty full. N. , deep and heavy sleep, frequent micturition. The next few days similar though milder symptoms occurred. (Ibid., 246.) 8. SCHROFF made comparative experiments with H. on 3 persons, 1 , with the watery extract made from the juice ofthe fresh plant ; 2, with the æthereal and alcoholic extract of the seeds ; 3, with the watery and alcoholic extract of the root of the year old plant ; and 4, with the watery extract of the whole plant 1 year old. These extracts varied in strength ; the weakest was that from the 1 year old plant ; somewhat stronger was that from the I year old root ; still stronger was that from the whole 2 years old plant ; much the strongest was that from the seeds, about 3 times as strong as the previous one. Small and medium doses caused a constant diminution of the frequency of the pulse by 10 to 20 beats and more within the first 2 or 3 h. The diminution occurred the more slowly the smaller the dose, and more quickly the larger the dose. Large doses caused a rapid diminution, and the larger the dose the sooner and the greater was the rise of the pulse above the normal. Thus i grm. of the ethereal extract of the seeds caused a slowing ofthe pulse by 20 beats in 2 h.; 02 grm. of the same preparation slowed the pulse to the same degree in I h., in the next h. it rose II beats, and in the followingh. fell 12 beats ; 04 grm. slowed the pulse by 19 beats in 20 m., in the next 20 m. it rose 29 beats, was small and irregular, and then for another h. it remained with fluctuations above the normal, and then gradually and slowly fell. In large doses H. causes dilatation of pupils, sometimes preceded by contraction for a short time. Small doses caused confused head, dryness of lips, mouth, and fauces, diminished secretion of saliva, weariness ; large doses caused stupefaction, great disposition to sleep, amounting in very large doses to coma-vigil, profound, sound sleep, which, when large doses were taken, was disturbed by horrible dreams ; sometimes marked headache, vertigo, feeling ofstoppage of ears, roaring in ears, weak sight, so that the letters could not be distinguished, increased sensitiveness of eyes to light, diminished sense of smell ,-not of taste ; inability to pay attention on any subject, which lasted 2 d., any attempt to fix attention was followed by confusion and pain in

head ; the weakness and vertigo caused staggering gait ; the dryness of mouth and fauces produced inability to swallow, great roughness, hoarseness of voice, dry skin crackling like parchment, temperature of skin lowered. In one prover on 2 trials he had the next d. diarrhea and inclination to vomit, without actual vomiting, and epistaxis ; in another on the 2nd and 3rd d. increased secretion of thick, viscid nasal mucus mixed with blood. Sometimes on the 2nd and 3rd d. after the trial there was sweat. ( Lehrbuch der Pharmacologie, 553.) 9. Two dr. of succ. hyos. were dropped into 1. eye. As no effect was observed after 15 m. the manœuvre was repeated. In a few m. dilatation of pupil commenced, and gradually increased, all objects appeared smaller and brighter. On attempting to read an indistinct yellow umbra seemed to surround every black letter. This umbra onlylasted 1 d. Afterwards some words seemed to be larger than the others, though the size of all was the same . The dilatation of the pupil lasted 3 d. (LIEDBECK, Нудеа, іх, 444.) 10. When taken by the mouth H. produces exactly the same effects as when its active principle has been injected beneath the skin. They are fully developed about an h. after ingestion. Three fluid oz. ‫ود‬ of a" succus produced in an adult aged 40 effects exactly equivalent to those which followed the subcutaneous injection of gr. of sulphate of hyoscyamine. * There was the same inability to maintain the erect posture, and reeling when an attempt was made to stand, and an equal amount of muscular twitching. But instead of insomnia there was for 3 h. excessive somnolency, with dreaming and occasional muttering. When aroused the condition ofthe patient was as in the experiment referred to, but so great was the tendency to sleep that he could not keep the eyelids open for many seconds, and he dozed off with a halffinished sentence on his lips. Two oz. of good tincture of henbane produced equivalent effects. (HARLEY, Old Vegetable Neurotics, p. 329.) II.-Poisonings. 1. Poisoning of4 children, æt. 4to 6. Vertigo and mania. Speechless, with wild look, very dilated pupils, dark red face, blue lips, distended but not painful abdomen. Small intermitting pulse, cold extremities, lower extremities paralysed. They laughed and were incoherent, breathing short and difficult, hearing seemed to be quite extinct, general convulsions, trismus, mouth and lips distorted ; wild delirium, sopor, carphologia, sensibility nearly lost, no stool or urine Suppression of urine lasted 22 h. Swallowing very difficult ; in one boy ineffectual retching. All recovered under emetics. (SPRINGER Annal. d. Staats A. Kunde in Archiv, xix, 182.) 2. Man took daily doses of 8 gr. of extr. He becomes very restless, talks incoherently, will not remain in bed. Countenance expresses calmness, cheerfulness, and content. Eye clear and calm, reflective, pupil rather dilated, pulse small, slow. He rose up suddenly and strongly, said with a smile that he was uncommonly well. Thought he was at home, wished to go out, and endeavoured to persuade those about him to let him, spoke in elegant language, with well-chosen expressions, and with such liveliness that the quiet and indolent peasant could scarcely be recognised, as he used to express himself in very * See Hyoscyaminum, 1. 6.

vulgar language. Complete sleeplessness. These symptoms lasted 36 h. (REINHOLD, Casper's Wochensch., 1840, No. 8 , A. h. Z., xix, 63.) 3. A countrywoman made her soup with H. roots, taking them for some other vegetable. Nine persons partook of it, and thought it excellent ; but they soon felt nausea, astringent bitter taste, which excited vomiting, their pupils dilated, their countenances were distorted, they could not remain still, convulsions came on, and then delirium. They lost, in succession, sight, hearing, and speech, fell into a state of prostration, stupor, and invincible sleepiness. They all went to bed. (Encyclographie Méd., Mars, 1844, in A. H. Z. , xxviii, 153.) 4. M- and wife ate a quantity of the root of the H. by mistake. After about I h. stupefied state, which increased, flickering before eyes, eyes bright, diplopia, dilated pupils, obscuration of vision, vertigo, great dryness of mouth, trembling in limbs, staggering gait ; small, scarcely perceptible, intermitting and slow pulse. An emetic soon restored them. (MENGER, Med. Zeit. v. Ver. f. Heilk. in Preussen, v. No. 8, 40.) 4 bis. A girl, æt. 4, ate some seeds of H. Soon, unsteady gait, small white vesicles on lips, and bloated face, then imperfect vision and nonsensical talk. Milk was administered, but symptoms increased every minute. 8 p.m. (3 h. after), face bright red, conjunctiva red, pupils extremely dilated, iris merely a narrow ring, unaffected by light ; on lower lip some white vesicles the size of lentils, tongue with a slimy coating behind, pulse small, moderately quick, heart's beats strong, irregular, complete loss of consciousness, frequent groaning and snatching around with extended fingers, frightful grinding of teeth, frequent twitching of hands and feet, and constant incomprehensible talking. An emetic brought away milk and seeds. 8 to 10 m. after application of wet cloths to head she began to speak. Next m. the symptoms of poisoning gone, the dilatation of pupils and staggering went off in course of d. (STEIN, Ibid., No. 27, 136.) 5. A boy, æt. 3, ate a number of seeds. He was found lying senseless on the floor, beating about him, foaming at mouth, face very red, convulsive movements of face and limbs. An emetic brought away many seeds, but the narcosis persisted. Soon other remedies restored him, but he had staggering gait for 8 d. (GITNER, Ibid., xi, No. 44, 195.) 6. Two girls, æt. 6 and 8 , ate a number of seeds of H. After 4 h., the six years old girl had pale face, pupils greatly dilated, pulse small, quick, heart beating strongly, hands and feet cold, slight convulsions of extremities, distortion of eyes, grinding of teeth, unconsciousness. The 8 years old girl had hot head, increased heat ofbody, face red, bloated, pulse full, not quick, heart's beats strong, irregular, eyes projecting, conjunctivæ very red, pupils much dilated. Very cheerful delirium ; she sang and spoke incessantly and very hurriedly but indistinctly, became very violent and beat about her when spoken to loudly or touched. An emetic brought away many seeds, and after the application of cold water to head and drinking vinegar they soon recovered. (SCHUBERT, Casper's Wochensch ., 1842, No. 14, 227.) 7. A man took for piles about 3j of the seeds in white wine. Immediately great heat all over, head confused, sight obscured, vertigo, nausea. After h ., furious mania, cried out loudly, complained of

violent pains in head and abdomen. After 2 h. face bluish, eyes red, wild, sparkling ; the veins of neck, extremities, and face much distended, the whole body convulsed, frequent subsultus tendinum, and such furious delirium that no one could restrain him. In the intervals he was occupied in catching imaginary flies, or picking at the bedclothes ; at the time he spoke little, and could hardly articulate his words. After this agitation he lay on the edge of the bed and seemed quite prostrated, then he snored like a person with apoplexy, and seemed to sleep, but this was soon interrupted by the convulsions, which returned more violently than before. Pulse small, quick, contracted, and intermitting ; it disappeared when slightly pressed ; tongue dry, clean ; hypogastric region very distended and sensitive ; urine very scanty. Itching causing him to scratch till the blood came, and insuperable horror at drink of all sorts ; on taking a spoonful of liquid into his mouth he ejected it with violence. He got 4 gr. of tart. em . After 4 h. no sickness, the symptoms became worse, the head more confused, no more convulsions but stupefied and quite unconscious. After another dose of the emetic he vomited a quantity of the seeds. The symptoms were allayed, the pulse became more regular and stronger, the head freer but the face more livid, eyes less red, but the dilated veins continued till 6 p.m. , and all the symptoms went off except the confusion of head, as shown by his confused ideas. The n. was passed quietly but without sleep. About 6 a.m. general perspiration set in, which lasted 2 d. This was followed by an eruption of large red confluent pimples, not containing any fluid, from hips to knees, where there had previously been eczema, cured by mercury. This eruption itched for 3 or 4 d., then dried up and desquamated. He had dimness of vision which lasted some d. Pupils dilated. (COSTA, Fourn. de Méd., xxx, pt. 2, 134. ) 8. Two soldiers gathered some sprouts of H., and boiled them in oil, of which they both partook. They soon had vertigo, the tongue was paralysed, the limbs relaxed, and they fell to the ground as if intoxicated. After 5 h. they were brought into hospital, and then their eyes were wild, pupils dilated, look staring and stupid, breathing difficult, pulse small and intermitting, aphonia, trismus, risus sardonicus, loss of sensibility, typhomania, cold extremities, paralysis of lower extremities, carphologia and convulsions of arms. One, who took a sufficient quantity of tart. em. to cause him to vomit freely, was next d. quite well except a slight supraorbital headache. The other, who did not vomit freely, remained very delirious during the n., but the following d. was well. A corporal who had taken a small quantity of the stuff had burning in throat, slight stupefaction and cædematous swelling of arms and hands. (CHOQUET, Ibid. , xxvi, pt. 4, 353.) 9. A plethoric man, æt. 34, got in the space of 4 h. 2 clysters of an infusion of H. 3j and ziij. After I h. he was in an apoplectic and convulsed condition, could hardly see 3 paces distance, there seemed to be a veil before eyes, his face was brown and bloated, difficult speech and incoherent talk, throat dry and constricted, with dysphagia, could hardly stand upright, seemed about to fall every instant. (BERNIGAU, Hufeland's Fourn. , v., pt. 4, 905.) 10. A child, æt. 4, ate some seeds of H. at 4 p.m. It was observed

that the mouth was distorted convulsively; soon the convulsions extended all over the body, the child passed the night screaming horribly, and tossing about, and made frequent attempts to vomit. Next m. the father brought it in his arms violently convulsed, like St. Vitus's dance ; it cried out sometimes, could not stand, and was destitute of all steadfastness of body and limbs, which were in constant violent movement. Hearing was gone, pupils enormously dilated, eyes staring and bright, pulse small and scarcely to be felt, like a thread ; skin soft and warm. It was carried to another house ; during the transport it lay quite limp and passive in its father's arms. When put to bed the convulsions returned, but not so severely. Vinegar was administered by mouth and anus, whereby a large quantity of green stuff came away, with relief ; this was followed by a quantity of white mucus, and it gradually recovered. The dilated pupils contracted the next d. (KAHLEIS, Ibid., lxviii, pt. 2, 81.) 11. Two girls, æt. 5, ate several capsules of H. They were seized with trembling of limbs, anxiety, restlessness, and incoherency ofspeech and action. After 6 to 8 h. they were found talking incoherently, laughing, and sometimes singing, theydid not know those around them, had frequent twitchings of facial muscles. When they were held, or when an object was taken out oftheir hands, they scratched, pinched and bit in order to get away, showing great strength in hands and feet, sometimes they made dancing movements, ground their teeth, and projected their tongue spasmodically with a peculiar trembling movement of it, eyes sparkling, rolling about, albuginea red, pupils extremely dilated and insensible to light, pulse hardly to be felt, small, and very quick. Emetics, coffee, and vinegar, and lastly milk, soon brought them round. (BURDACH, Ibid., lxxvi, pt. 6, 89.) 12. Three children, æt. from 4 to 8, one e. ate some of the leaves ofH. They soon began to stagger, fell convulsed to the ground, and were found in the e. in a perfectly unconscious state. Milk was administered and assistance sought. The doctor saw them about midnight ; their faces were bloated, they were normally warm ; skin dry ; pupils so dilated that not a trace of iris could be seen, eyeballs directed upwards and inwards. In one child the abdomen was enormously distended, but without pain even when pressed, tongue extruded out of mouth, turned upwards towards nose. The others had not this symptom. In the 2 youngest the extremities were convulsively agitated to such a degree that a strong man could hardly hold them, the shoulders were bent backwards, and the abdomen projected forwards. They were alternately unconscious and conscious, spoke much and hurriedly and unconnectedly. The 8 years old child had no similar symptoms, but lay quietly unconscious. Pulse intermitting every 5 or 6 beats, in paroxysms, otherwise quick and full. Dysphagia in all 3. No complaint of pain ; one child was foolishly gay. (WAGNER, Ibid., lxxxvi , pt. i, 129.) 13. A woman got 2 enemata of decoction of leaves of H. She had vertigo, stupefaction, incoherency of ideas, great excitement, delirium, redness of face, very dilated pupils, pulse slow, resistant, loss of strength . Three days later, notwithstanding vinegar enemata, castor-oil, and

strong coffee, she had violent fever with extreme dread of dying, which last became a sort of monomania which lasted six months, and left behind great nervous irritability. (Fourn. de Toulouse, 1853, in Z. d. V. hom. Aer. Oestr., i, 376, 1857. ) 14. Three persons, a man and two women, ate a considerable quantity of cooked root of H. a. The woman, who had eaten least, had during the meal paralysis of tongue, and such great constriction of throat that she could neither chew nor swallow the morsel in her mouth . Soon she commenced to laugh, to dance, to run about the room, to seize hold of various things ; she stared at those around her, heard nothing, and did not answer questions, several people could not make her drink or lie down. Face pale, pulse quick, respiration free, pupils very dilated, capillaries of eyes greatly injected. The maniacal symptoms lasted with complete sleeplessness till next d., the vertigo, stupefaction, and incoherency lasted several d. b. In the second woman paralysis of tongue and spasm of throat came on rather later. She soon fell asleep in her chair, and lay there motionless. The head sank down on chest, face very red, respiration deep, skin warm, pulse small and quick, eyes closed, its vessels much injected. c. The man took the largest quantity. In him paralysis of tongue and spasm of throat came on later. Then he rose from table, staggered like a drunken man to bed and sank down there motionless ; the whole body was cold and stiff as a log. Face pale, conjunctiva much injected, the anterior cervical muscles so contracted that it was impossible to lay his head back on pillow ; pulse small, thready, very quick, respiration ; on account of paralysis of pulmonary plexus and spasm of pectoral muscles, stertorous and difficult. (Gaz. des Hôpit., 12, 1854, in Z. d. V. hom. Aer. Oest., loc. cit.) 15. A gentleman took by mistake for borage two cups of infusion ofH. Seen soon afterwards he was in bed in profound sleep. Features pale, lips blue, breathing tranquil, pulse full, 82. When roused, muttered and became irritable. On attempting to make him drink he resisted it violently, and soon fell into a state of hallucination, in which countenance assumed a menacing expression, and he called various persons by name with whom he imagined himself to be conversing. When let alone he relapsed into lethargic sleep. After 5 gr. of tart. em. recovered rapidly. (St. AUGE, Fourn. de Pharm., xxxix, 383.) 16. An old gentleman, who since a paralytic stroke in his 75th year had habitually taken opium or morphia to obtain sleep, was now just able to walk with assistance from one room to another. He was unable to rest without taking 1-2 gr. of morphia in the 24 h., and even then failed to obtain sound sleep. For some weeks previously, and since the morphia had been increased, muscular twitchings, which were at first slight and partial, became severe and general, and in the fingers, arms, or legs constant. When dozing under influence of the morphia the twitchings increased ; and once or twice, as he sat in a chair, the whole body was jerked forwards, and raised into the upright position. Fearing that the morphia, if it did not actually generate this

668 HYOSCYAMUS . extended excitation,greatly increased ofextr. ofH. instead ofthe it, I prescribed customary on acertain It gr. of acetateoccasion 8 bly, and of morphy, n. the After an h., busy delirium, with constant muttering or talking an meddling with the hands, set in. These symptoms having continuedance; teadwith complete insomnia, for 12 h., I gave him as this did not produce much effect, & gr. more 12gr.h.oflater morphia, and on. Stilnent. less soporific effect followed this last dose, and during the next 24 h., hight, " rm . n. and d., there was complete insomnia, great mental vivacity, such as imp : he had not exhibited for years, perpetual talking, and occasional catchingions at surrounding objects. During the whole n. he engaged the nurse's und attention and interest by recounting the adventures of a friend in the of ; Peninsular campaigns. Throughout the next d. he was intent upon taking ajourney, but if any incident ofhis past life was suggested,he ly 2., entered minutely into every particular, talking incessantly, with unwonted rapidity and emphasis. He used the simplest and most descrip- d tive language ; and he was quite independent of conversation, for it ch was necessary, in order to avoid any increase of excitement, to treat him with silence. Once a subject was named, no matter whether the attendant circumstances occurred the previous d. or 50 years ago, it r

immediately engaged his attention until some incidental remark or an d illusion suggested other ideas. If a subject with which he was not wholly familiar happened to be mentioned, he spoke of it rapidly and coherently as far as his knowledge extended, but then became confused, incoherent, and a little irritable and impatient. The connecting links in a particular train of thought were weakened and occasionally broken by illusions and delusions. The sight of a white napkin suggested, through milk, his former breakfasts in India, the milking of the cow at the door of the house, the appearance of the frothed milk in the silver basin. His white handkerchief lying crumpled on the dark sofa-cover recalled the ivory nut, and he entered into a minute and faithful description not only of this plant, its habits and fruit, but ofthe characters of several other tropical vegetables. Then he wandered into the country, and suddenly pulling up a leg exclaimed, " Take care, give me your hand, that is a very deep step." The next m. he introduced himself with a loud voice in a friend's house at Torquay, and, while engaged in imaginary conversation, suddenly raised the eyelids, and looking across the empty space in the direction of the bare wall, said with much emphasis, " That's a fine dahlia ! " A few m. afterwards he was engaged in Bristol. Several times he directed the carriage to be sent for, and supposing that it was at the door made attempts to rise from his couch. After 48 h. ofthis I gave the usual 1 gr. of morphia ; 4 h. afterwards he fell asleep, and slept tranquilly and almost continuously for the next 26 h. During the action of the H. the twitchings continued unabated, but after the refreshing sleep they began to subside. During the next fortnight he slept without any sedative. The twitchings meantime disappeared ; and though it has been necessary to give as much as I gr. of powdered opium during the 24 h., they have not returned after an absence of three months. (Harley, op. cit., 17. p. 330.) I was called about 2 p.m., April 3rd, 1876, to see a child of 4,

whom I found delirious and acting very strangely. (It was found to stro have eaten some henbane seeds.) The first symptoms noticed by the las b mother were that its eyes had a peculiar look ; they seemed dim and watery, pupils large, strange staring expression. At dinner-table he wanted everything he could see or reach, yet could not swallow readily. C He understood my questions when asked, and would answer yes or no. He complained of head aching across forehead and temples ; sick at stomach, but does not vomit ; face and neck bloated ; easily controlled in delirium. At 4 I found him much worse ; would answer, and seem to know for a moment, and then would begin acting strangely ; working and clutching of hands ; would strike at attendants ; restless, movements very quick, it was with difficulty he could be held on lap ; eyes wild and staring, pupils much dilated, squinting ; twitching of muscles of face ; pulse 100 ; urine pale. At 8, child greatly excited, talking incessantly ; his attention cannot be fixed on anything, nor can he be held. He is now on floor, watched by those in attendance ; he wants to get away but cannot stand alone ; he attempts to walk, and falls upon his face ; limbs seem almost paralysed. He acts as if intoxicated, wants to fight, closes fists and strikes at attendants, also attempts to bite. At intervals he would sing, and at times burst out laughing. Nervous trembling and jerking of muscles ; when anything is offered to him, he seizes it with both hands greedily ; the slightest opposition excites him. Towards midnight symptoms began to diminish, but it was after 3 a.m. before patient became quiet and disposed to rest ; he slept at intervals. Next m. he appeared quite natural, though eyes looked wild and staring, and pupils were still dilated. ( N. B. COVERT, M.D. , Trans. of N. Y. State Hom. Med. Soc., N. S., i, 157.) 18. A married man of40, in perfect health and virile vigour, was suddenly attacked, March, 1847, with violent toothache, worse at n. To cure it, he fumigated mouth with smoke from burning seeds of H. Pain instantly vanished, but from that moment he became perfectly impotent, and remained so up to September, when he consulted Dr. Wehle in Prague. Under stimulating treatment he recovered in 8 weeks more. (Oest. Med. Wochenschr., 1843, P. 539.) III. Experiments on animals.- 1 . As its name implies, H. may be eaten by swine with impunity ; it is also said to be innocuous to cows and sheep, while deer, barnyard fowls, and fish are poisoned by it. According to Orfila's experiments, it acts upon dogs as upon the human species. Although the alkaloid is poisonous to rabbits, twenty times the quantity of strong alcoholic extract does not injure them. (STLLLÉ, op. cit.) 2. Given to horses in large quantities it causes dilatation of pupils, spasmodic movements of lips, and frequency ofpulse. (PEREIRA, op. cit.)

Volume IV — Appendix

HYOSCYAMUS.

(See vol. ii, p. 655.)

At p. 656, 1. IS from bottom, for « Z. f. Ver. hom. Aerzte (Est., i," tad « mm. Ztitsehr. d. i. k. Gts., Jahrg. ii, Bd. ii."

II. 19. A man of 60 todc by misuke about 5VJ of tinct. in one ose. Three h. afterwards he l)ecame excited, wandering about the ouse, muttering to himself, touching everything as if suspicious. He ten became drowsy, and, with the idea of relieving him, another dose f the same medicine, containing about 5iss of tinct., was administered. 9on afterwards violent delirium developed — he imagined policemen iterins the house; his face flushed, the pupils dilated moderately, is hands were in continual motion, and though exceedingly restless e was almost overcome by drowsiness. After recovery all recollecon of that time was lost. (Macfie Campbell, Lancet^ 1874, ii, 797,)

ao. A woman, act. 34, took Jj of tinct. by mistake for a black raught at 5 a.m. Soon after she complained of pricking and heat in le extremities, dryness of mouth, giddiness, and loss ot power in the !gs ; there was a purplish rash all over surfiux, and face was swollen.

6o4

Four h. afterwards she was almost insensible, the face was scarlet, the pupils very dilated, skin hot and dry. She was ordered tincture of galls and castor oil, and soon after a copious evacuation occurred, of golden colour and having a strong odour of the drug. Power wis lo»t in extremities, and sensibility diminished. At 4 p.m. delirium set in, with illusions, temp. 104° ; later rigor occurred, and finally collapse. It was 6 d, before she regained the use of her legs, and the lou uT memory continued for a long time. (White, Ibid.^ '873, ii, 8.)

1. a. In a man under my own observation, who had taken t large quantity of "henbane tea," there was much drowsiness and prostration, with tremor of the whole body, muscular spasm, and cvea convulsion, with clenching of thumbs, rolling of eyeballs, and mutter^ ing delirium — obscene in character ; he complained of numbness aal impaired power in the limbs, and later on, as he began to recover, c^ pain which seemed to be neuralgic in hips and lower extremities.

b. Bleeding from the nose I have seen occur in 5 persons whowert taking the tinct. for experimental purposes ; in each case the &tf became dusky and appeared swollen. I have also known it induce hemorrhage from the uterus.

c. I have observed a dusky-red eruption in a child that had eata the root, and a similar rash was said to have appeared on the mother and two other children who had taken it and suffered from the uiul characteristic symptoms of its action ; partial desquamation occunei in all the cases 5 or 6 d. afterwards. I have in several instanoo, when giving the extract for experimental purposes, traced to it$ cob tinuoususe the occurrence of small pustules indiffierent parts of the bixlfr and violent itching is not infrequent.

d. The whole skin is hot and dry as a rule ; but I have seen oM case with profuse clammy perspiration.

e. In the case of the woman above mentioned there was profiw diuresis of limpid urine. In two of the children there was ilie enuresis, in one for a single night, in the other for 3 n. successively. This symptom did not occur in these children except when under the influence of the drug. (Phillips, op. cit.)