A dictionary of terms used in medicine and the collateral sciences / by Richard D. Hoblyn.

  • Hoblyn, Richard D. (Richard Dennis), 1803-1886.
Date:
1849
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A dictionary of terms used in medicine and the collateral sciences / by Richard D. Hoblyn. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by University of Bristol Library. The original may be consulted at University of Bristol Library.

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    P 0 I s exposing to them a bit of filtering paper moistened with a solution of lead. The smell alone must not be relied on, as putrescent animal matter exhales an odour like that of sulphuretted hydrogen, though none be present. 2. Carbonic acid, the most important of the deleterious gases, as being the daily source of fatal accidents. A per- son immersed in this gas diluted with air, was at first affected with violent and irre- gular convulsions of the whole body, and perfect insensibility, afterwards with fits of spasm like tetanus; and during the second day, when these symptoms had gone off, he continued to be affected with dumbness. 3. The Fumes of Burning Charcoal ap- pear to have produced, in a certain case, slight oppression, then violent palpita- tion, and next confusion of ideas, gra- dually ending in insensibility. Some- times there are tightness in the temples, and an undefinable sense of alarm; at other times, a pleasing sensation. Treatment.—This consists chiefly in the occasional employment of the cold aflfusion, and in moderate blood-letting from the arm or from the head. 1. Strychnia. This is the most ener- getic poison next to the Prussic acid. Sy mptoms.—[In a case in which Strych- nia had been prescribed in too large doses, the patient was seized with spasm of the muscles about the larynx and those of one arm; she felt as if strangled. On a repetition of the dose, the same sym- ptoms were renewed ; she felt and looked as if strangled.—Dr. M. Hall.] Tests.—An intensely bitter taste; its alcoholic solution has an alkaline reac- tion ; it forms neutral and crystallizable salts with the acids; in its ordinary form it is turned orange-red by the action of nitric acid, owing to the presence of a yellow colouring matter, or of brucea; pure strychnia is not turned orange-red by nitric acid ; the orange colour is de- stroyed by proto-chloride of tin. 2. Nux Vomica. This is the most common species of Strychnos; no poison causes so much torture. It is very often found in the stomach of those poisoned with it. Symptoms.—In the most characteristic case yet published, there were convul- sions, with much agitation and anxiety; during the fits the whole body was stiflT- ened and straightened, the legs pushed 386 0 NS. out, and forced wide apart; no pulse or breathing could be perceived; the face and hands were livid, and the muscles of the former violently convulsed. In the short intervals between the fits, the pa- tient was quite sensible, had a quick, faint pulse, complained of sickness, with great thirst, and perspired freely. A fourth and most violent fit soon suc- ceeded, in which the whole body was ex- tended to the utmost from head to foot. From this she never recovered : she seemed to fall into a state of asphyxia, relaxed her grasp, and dropped her hands on her knees. Her brows, however, re- mained contracted, her lips drawn apart, salivary foam issued from the corners of her mouth, and the expression of the countenance was altogether most hor- rific. She died in an hour after swal- lowing the poison. Tests.—1. The powder has a dirty greenish-grey colour, an intensely bitter taste, and an odour like powder of liquor- ice. It inflames on burning charcoal; and, when treated with nitric acid, ac- quires an orange-red colour, which is de- stroyed by the addition of proto-chloride of tin. Its infusion also is turned orange- red by nitric acid, and precipitated grey- ish-white with tincture of galls. 2. It may be detected in the stomach by boiling the contents,—or the powder, if it can be separated,—in water acidu- lated with sulphuric acid. The liquid, after filtration, is neutralized with car- bonate of lime, and then evaporated to dryness. The dry mass is then acted on with successive portions of alcohol, and evaporated to the consistence of a thin syrup. The product has an intensely bitter taste, precipitates with ammonia, becomes orange-red with nitric acid, and will sometimes deposit crystals of strych- nia on standing two or three days. Treatment.—Little is known of the treatment. Evacuate the stomach tho- roughly with the stomach-pump, or eme- tics ; the powdered nux vomica adheres with great obstinacy to the inside of the stomach. If the patient is not attacked with spasms in two hours, he will gene- rally be safe. 3. Poisonous Fungi. The general symptoms present a well-marked con- junction of deep narcotism and violent irritation. Emetics are of primary im- portance ; the sopor and inflammation of the bowels are to be treated in the usual way. No antidote is known.