Introduction to medical jurisprudence / by William McCallin.

  • McCallin, William.
Date:
1901
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Introduction to medical jurisprudence / by William McCallin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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    ARSENIOUS ACID, or white arsenic, as a poison, is the most important arsenical compound. It is not often used by the suicide, but it is a favourite with the homicide, as it is odourless, colourless, almost tasteless, and therefore easily adminis- tered in food. It is occasionally the cause of accidental poisoning through its use as a vermin-killer, as a sheep- wash, in destroying spores of fungi in grain, and in fly- papers. Fatal results have followed its application to cancers and other tumours—a practice common among quacks. Two grains have been fatal; but recovery has taken place after swallowing an ounce, by reason of its emetic effect. Death has occurred as early as twenty minutes, and is due to gastro-intestinal irritation and depression of the nervous system, which follow not only the internal administration of the poison, but also its absorption from the skin. The symptoms appear early, usually in from half an hour to an hour, especially if a large dose has been taken on an empty stomach. They begin with heat and constriction in the throat, and thirst. There is vomiting and pain in the stomach ; tenderness over the abdomen, diarrhoea and tenesmus; and the motions may resemble those of Asiatic cholera. Faintness and depres- sion supervene, the pulse is quick, thready, and irregular, and respiration is laboured. The skin becomes cold and clammy, cramps occur in the calves of the legs, and depression is followed by prostration, and finally coma, which may be preceded by convulsions or paralysis. In some cases the most marked symptoms are those 7—2