Case of poisoning by corrosive sublimate / by Henry Anderson.

  • Anderson, Henry.
Date:
1818
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Case of poisoning by corrosive sublimate / by Henry Anderson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    1/2 (page 475)
    quart of water, and she got a tea-cup full every five minutes, but frequently refused to take it, when more than milk-warm. There was an evident spasmodic contraction of the oesophagus. She had occasional retchings and vomitings, which nearly ap¬ proached to convulsions. Two drachms of the sub-carb. potass, were dissolved in a quart oi’ water, and she took a tea¬ cup full of this solution and the starch alternately. At nine o’clock she appeared more sensible, was able to speak, and answered my questions pretty correctly. She complained of an excruciating burning pain in the throat and stomach ; when she attempted to take any thing more than milk-warm, it was insufferable Pulse now 120, not so irregular; warm fomen¬ tations were ordered to be applied to the abdomen, and to con¬ tinue the starch and solution of the sub-carb. pot.—-11 o’clock. Still suffering severe pain in her throat, and all over the abdo¬ men, which is more swelled; vomited four times since I saw her. Ordered to continue the starch and warm fomentations, but to stop the solution of sub-carb. potass. Tuesday morning, 8 o’clock. She appears more composed, but impressed with the idea that she is dying. I endeavoured to remove this impression, and her mind became more tranquil. She complained bitterly of the severe treatment of her friends. Pulse 112, very much corded, and intermitting occasionally. She slept none during the night, and vomited frequently ; ab¬ domen less swelled. The warm fomentations had given relief, but the burning pain still continues. She seems much exhausted ; has had no stool these two days. Ordered her an injection, and to continue the starch for drink. Having gone at this stage, in company with two friends, to breakfast with Dr M‘Donald, I mentioned the case to him. He desired me to try the white of eggs, stating that it would reduce the muriate of mercury to a submuriate. At 11 o’clock, I found her nearly as when I left her. The injection had given her some relief of the pain in her belly. I gave her the white of two eggs beat up with cinna¬ mon water ; and ordered the same quantity to be given every half hour, and to intermit the starch. At 2 o’clock she felt rather easier, had vomited only twice since morning; pulse 104, not so much corded ; profuse ptyalism; has had three^ stools with tenesmus, since the time I had seen her. Ordered an emollient injection ; to continue the white of eggs, and warm fomentations. At 5 P. M. found her very weak, but the pain of abdomen much relieved, and tenesmus gone. At 10 o’clock, she continues better, but animal spirits much depressed ; vomit¬ ing not returned. Ordered to continue as before. Wednesday, 10 o’clock, A, M. Says she had a good night’s