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edly; when it is recent, and the patient not | 595. vi. STRAMONIUM-THORN-APPLE-Datura much reduced. In these circumstances, the Stramonium.-Poisoning with this plant is not best purgatives are the neutral sulphates dis- infrequent, and is generally accidental. solved in the compound infusion of roses, to the thorn-apple has been used on the Continent which some additional sulphuric acid, and small for the purposes of aiding the commission of doses of the sulphate of iron, may be added; crimes. The whole plant is probably poisonthese may be administered at intervals, so as ous, but the seeds are the most virulent. It is to keep up an action on the bowels, or a full very slightly irritant, its poisonous action being dose of precipitated sulphur may be taken at exerted chiefly on the brain and nerves of senbedtime, and the saline aperient in the morning sation. Its operation nearly resembles that of and at midday if it be required. Warm med- belladonna. The active properties of the plant icated baths may likewise be used, or pediluvia. reside chiefly in an alkaloid principle, described If constipation continue, or become obstinate, by GEIGER and HESSE, and named daturia or other more active purgatives may be required, daturium; and probably partly in an empyreuif a recourse to purgative enemata does not ac-matic oil which it contains, resembling that of complish fully the object entertained.

digitalis. It acts chiefly by absorption, and probably also by its local influence or impression on the nervous systems; for the application of the leaves of the plant to burns or sores has occasioned dangerous effects.

593. (c) The local means should have reference to the state and stage of salivation, and of the other symptoms. If salivation be commencing; if it be acute; if it have occurred unexpectedly, or from a small dose of mercury, 593*. a. The symptoms produced by stramoand be attended by an inflammatory state of nium have been most accurately observed and the mouth or salivary glands, the topical reme-described by Dr. PEREIRA. In small and graddies ought to be soothing, and the local excite-ually increased doses, it impairs sensibility, therement should be calmed by means of demulcent by alleviates pain, and hence is anodyne. Algargles, containing cooling and anodyne sub-though it allays pain, it does not usually produce stances, as the nitrate of potash, or the hydro- sleep. Dr. PEREIRA remarks that it has no dichlorate of ammonia, with extract or tincture of opium; or by gargles containing the acetate of lead and acetic acid, with tincture or wine of opium. If the swelling and tenderness around the salivary glands be considerable at the commencement, a few leeches, followed by fomentations, may be prescribed, and the other means assiduously employed. In the more chronic or atonic stage or state of salivation, the gargles should be astringent and tonic, as the decoction of cinchona, or of oak bark, with alum and sulphuric acid, or with the tincture of krameria. The chlorides, especially the chloride of lime in solution, with creasote; solutions of the chloride of zinc, or of the nitrate of silver; the tincture of myrrh in camphorated demulcents, &c., may severally be employed as gargles. I have seen strong tar-water of great service when used as a gargle, a weaker form of it having been drank as a constitutional remedy,

rect tendency to induce sleep, and hence it cannot be called soporific; but indirectly, by alleviating pain, it often disposes to sleep. It usually does not affect the pulse it slightly and temporarily dilates the pupil, and has no tendency to cause constipation, but rather relaxation. In larger doses it causes dryness of the throat, thirst, nausea, giddiness, dilatation of the pupil, obscurity of vision, headache, nervous agitation, disturbance of the cerebral functions, perspiration, occasionally relaxation of the bowels, and sometimes diuresis. In fatal doses the chief symptoms are flushed countenance, delirremedy and as a poison, supersedes additional matter on the remedy, the use of which has for near a century past been subject; ; yet on a topic so prolific in relation to a mineral so extensive in the hands of the faculty of American physicians, an additional observation or two may be made. In specific febrile disorders, it is well known that OGDEN, of Long Island, and DOUGLASS, of Boston, had recourse to mercury before its use for those purposes was made in Great 594. (d) The other varieties of chronic poison- Britain. In the mercurial practice for yellow fever, as it ing by mercury are benefited most by the conprevailed in Philadelphia in 1793 and in subsequent years, stitutional or antidotal means advised above and in New York in 1795, 1798, and in 1803, as adopted by the medical men of that metropolis, great opportunities oc(591). But, in these varieties, the states of curred of noticing the action of this powerful agent in a disthe blood and of nervous energy should receive order of acknowledged specific character; while the abuse particular attention. In order to remove the peated remark and of professional notoriety by American of mercury in syphilitic diseases has been the theme of reexisting depression of vital power, to improve prescribers. The reader will do well, on all these subjects, the assimilating processes, and to resist the to peruse the valuable volume on the mercurial practice of changes in the blood, especially the progressive the United States by the late Dr. JOHN WARREN, of Boston. See, also, the Massachusetts Medical Communications, anæmia, the iodide of iron in sirrup of sarsapa- vol. ii. On this most interesting subject, the use and abuse rilla, the several preparations of iron, or the min- of mercury, a work of clinical value appeared so long ago eral chalybeates, in states of combination which as in 1811, entitled a Dissertation on Mercury, by JOHN W. FRANCIS, New York. This elaborate essay contains many the peculiarities of the case will suggest, and details of value relative to the medical history and curative many of the usual vegetable or mineral tonics action of this heroic prescription. The author considers the several forms of mercurial erethism as more likely to and antispasmodics, will prove of essential service. When the nervous system, or even when from its internal use. occur from the external applications of the remedy than He notices the loss of memory for the mental manifestations betray disorder, the years, arising from the too free introduction of mercurial means just mentioned, preceded or attended by salts into the system; and ingeniously contends that merthe constitutional treatment above recommend-cury as a curative agent effects its great design by its universally stimulating or exciting action, and its alterative ined (591), are then also required; change of fluence in eliminating specific disease by unlocking all the air and scene, travelling, a dry, bracing air, gen- emunctories of the body. The recent doctrines of LIEBIG, erous but light diet, aided by occasional recourse now so popular, seem to have been fully broached in this treatise by Dr. FRANCIS. The assimilating principle in to tonics, to chalybeates, to the iodine, and to the elucidation of the action of small-pox, venereal disease, &c., natural mineral waters, being also beneficial.* gives unquestionably a comprehensive view both of the action of animal poison as a taint, while a like doctrine of the corrective influence of certain remedies unfolds a lucid theory of their therapeutical action.]

* [The elaborate exposition which our author has given of the various disordered changes induced by mercury, as a

ium-usually maniacal-dilatation of the pupil, | ly of congestion of the brain and sinuses, espe dryness of the throat, loss of voice, difficulty of deglutition, hot, perspiring skin, convulsions, and sometimes palsy. But the symptoms vary in different cases with the dose, and the part or preparation of the plant administered. Of the numerous instances of poisoning by this plant, the following will suffice to illustrate the symptoms:

cially in those cases which terminate early with maniacal excitement and determination to the head. When life has endured for eighteen hours or upward, the congestion within the cranium is less remarkable. In Mr. DUFFIN'S case, the brain was healthy, and not congested. The stomach and intestines were natural. There were a slight redness over the pharynx, larynx, and upper third of the gullet, thicken

semi-coagulated state of the blood.

597. d. The treatment should consist chiefly of vascular depletions; the cold or tepid affusion on the head; emetics or the stomach-pump; lemonade drinks; and the other means advised for belladonna (§ 545).

594*. In two cases related by VICAT and SWAINE, the chief symptoms were furious de-ing and swelling of the rima glottidis, and a lirium and palsy of the extremities. In three instances adduced by ALIBERTO there were delirium, restlessness, constant incoherent talking, dancing, and singing, with fever and flushed face. In a case described by Dr. TRAILL, about eighteen grains of the extract were taken by mistake, and were followed by dryness of the throat, giddiness, dilated pupils, flushed face, glancing of the eyes, incoherence, resembling intoxication, and incessant, unconnected talking, like that of demency. Emetics were given without effect, and little amendment was obtained from blood-letting, cold to head, or purgatives. But after a glass of strong lemonade vomiting took place, and the patient soon recovered. BOERHAAVE states, that a man gave the powder of stramonium in coffee to a female. It occasioned redness of the features, delirium, nymphomania, loss of speech, followed by fixedness of the eyes, tremours, convulsions, and coma; afterward tetanic spasm and slow respiration. She was with difficulty roused by the action of emetics, and recovered. In another dangerous case, adduced, among others, by Dr. CHRISTISON, free blood-letting effected a speedy cure. Of a case well described by Mr. DUFFIN, the symptoms were exactly as above stated ( 593*). One hundred of the seeds were swallowed; but, although the treatment was judicious, death took place in twenty-four hours. Of several cases adduced by GMELIN, six hours were the shortest duration. [It is not uncommon to observe hemiplegia with spasmodic affections of the opposite side in children who have eaten the seeds or flowers. I recently attended a child, a boy twelve years of age, who was poisoned by inhaling the aroma from the leaves that had been bruised in the sun. After exposure to these fumes for a considerable period in a hot sun, he was seized with maniacal, wild, hysterical delirium, contracted pupil, &c., and, in spite of treatment, died in about twelve hours. On dissection, the blood was found fluid, the brain congested, the other organs natural. For many cases of poisoning by this plant, see my edition of Guy's Med. Jurisprudence, p. 697.]

595*. b. Diagnosis.-VоGHT says, that stramonium is distinguished from belladonna by its affecting more the ganglia, spinal cord, and brain; by the circumstance of the pulse being little affected by it, and by slowness more frequently than acceleration of pulse being produced by it; and by its exciting the organic nervous system more strongly, and more directly promoting all the secretions, especially those from the skin. Its operation may be briefly characterized as slightly irritant and energetically alterative as regards sensibility and innervation, while it influences less remarkably the irritability of muscular structures.

598. CLASS VII. NARCOTICS, OR STUPEFYING POISONS. HYPNOTICS. Several substances have been classed as narcotics, although they are not directly or really narcotic or hypnotic, and produce this effect only contingently upon their anodyne or sedative action-not infrequently as a consequence of the vital depression or exhaustion which they occasion in a large dose. This error of arrangement, so intimately allied to inaccurate views as to the operation and effects of both medicines and poisons, has been perpetuated by most writers on juridical medicine. But it is of great importance, in a practical rather than in a theoretical point of view, that substances which are simply anodyne-which remove pain or paralyze sensibility-should be distinguished from those which exert a more extensive effect, and are sedative-which lower nervous and vascular excitement, and depress vital action; and that those substances which are simply hypnoticwhich merely procure sleep-should also be distinguished from narcotics-which do more than procure sleep, which stupefy the senses and occasion a state of lethargy, into which the patient lapses immediately after having been momentarily and with difficulty roused. There is no doubt that several substances produce effects so complicated as to render classification founded on these effects most difficult; that there are some which are not only anodyne, but also sedative or depressing, and withal both hypnotic and narcotic; and it is hence the more difficult to arrange them. Still the difficulty should be met; and, by careful observation, the more prominent effects of these substances should be recognised and assigned to each. I have had occasion to show that several substances which have been classed as narcotics are not actually such, but occasionally manifest more or less of this effect merely as a consequence of the vital depression they produce when taken in excessive doses.

599. The operation of narcotics was once a source of dispute between the chief supporters of the medical doctrines adopted toward the close of the last century. The term narcotic, being applied substantively and adjectively to medicines which have the power of stupefying and impairing the energy of the nervous system, the mode in which this power was excited became the subject of inquiry. As most narcotics have a stimulating influence in small doses, and as the narcotic effect is produced chiefly, or only when they are given in full or 596. c. The morbid appearances consist chief- | large doses, the question was, as to the way in

which this latter effect was developed. CUL- | their power of rapid intoxication. M. COLLARD LEN contended that the stimulating effect is DE MARTIGNY found that, if the human body be owing to the resistance offered by the vis medi- enclosed in an atmosphere of this gas while rescatrix nature to the sedative influence of the piration is carried on by the common air, the substance; and hence that a large dose is im- usual symptoms of poisoning with carbonic acid mediately sedative, because this resistance is is produced; and, if the same experiment be overpowered. BROWN, on the contrary, main-made on animals, death will ensue if continued tained that narcotics are in reality highly diffu-long enough. 5th. It has been shown by Dr. G. sible stimuli, which exhaust the excitability by BIRD that death may follow the inspiration of the rapidity of their action. Thus CULLEN re- this gas, although the usual changes are progarded them as directly sedative, and indirect-duced by the oxygen in the air on the blood, ly stimulant; and BROWN as directly stimulant, which even may still retain its florid colour and indirectly sedative. The discussions con- (Guy's Hosp. Rep., vol. iv., p. 79.) nected with this subject, which may be viewed as constituting an epoch in the history of medicine, are now nearly forgotten, although the topic is not altogether destitute of practical importance. If both doctrines were closely investigated, neither would be found correct; but it is sufficient that we attend to the effects, and observe them correctly. The exact modes in which they are brought about require too minute an investigation to be entered upon at this place.

601. A. When a person attempts to inhale pure carbonic acid gas, the throat is irritated so strongly that the glottis closes, and inspiration is impossible. Sir H. DAVY and Dr. CHRISTISON remark, that the gas causes an acid taste in the mouth and throat, and a sense of burning in the uvula; hence, when a person is immersed in this gas, he dies at once of suffocation. The effects, however, are very different when the gas is diluted, the symptoms resembling those of apoplexy or poisoning by opium, 600. i. CARBONIO ACID GAS, and Admixtures but varying somewhat according to the source of it with other Gases.-This is the most impor- from which the gas is derived, and the vapours tant of the deleterious gases. It is, as Dr. or other gases or admixtures consequently CHRISTISON remarks, the daily cause of acci- breathed with it. It is of importance to recol. dents; for it is extricated in great quantity lect that fatal poisoning by this gas may occur from burning fuel, during the calcination of where the quantity present is quite insufficient limestone or chalk, by the fermentation of beer, to produce much effect at first, or for some time, and in pits, mines, wells, &c. It is generated or to extinguish a lighted candle; and, conseduring respiration by all animals, and is accu-quently, we are authorized in concluding that a mulated to a dangerous amount in apartments gaseous mixture, capable of extinguishing a where due ventilation is neglected. Owing to lighted taper or candle, will almost inevitably these and other sources, being such as admit prove fatal to animal life. No odour nor taste, of the accidental and intentional operation of also, is perceived when this gas is much diluted. this gas on the human subject, poisoning by it 602. B. The symptoms experienced by peris of frequent occurrence. Some doubts had sons exposed to an atmosphere loaded with been entertained whether it is a positive poi-charcoal fumes, or with carbonic acid emanason, or simply an asphyxiating gas. But, inde- ting from any other source, and mixed with pendently of its action, when concentrated or more or less of other gases, are well marked pure, in irritating and constricting the larynx, and constant; although, as Dr. GOLDING BIRD and thereby producing suffocation, it is posi- remarks, they are far from being distinctly tively and energetically poisonous. This is characteristic of the existing cause, as they are shown by a variety of circumstances: 1st. Poi- very similar to the premonitory signs of aposoning by this gas is more rapid than immer- plexy. A person exposed to these fumes at sion in hydrogen or azote. Immersion in car- first experiences an intense, penetrating, and bonic acid gas will kill an animal outright in throbbing headache, with a sense of weight twenty-five seconds, and a small bird in fifteen and heat, especially about the occipital region; seconds. 2d. If, instead of the nitrogen gas pulsation in, and sense of tightness across the contained in air, carbonic acid be mixed with temples; giddiness, confusion of ideas, and oxygen in the same proportion, symptoms of failure of memory; increased action of the poisoning will appear in two minutes in ani- heart, and often violent palpitations, sometimes mals which breathe this admixture. Persons attended by a disposition to nausea and hysterhave become apoplectic in an atmosphere con- ic sobbing. If the individual be now removed taining carbonic acid gas in much less propor- into a current of cool, pure air, with warm aption, and which has appeared quite respirable plications to the feet, which usually, in such upon first entering it. 3d. Professor ROLANDO circumstances, become cold, the symptoms (Archives Gen. de Med., t. v., p. 132) found that gradually vanish. But if he continue exposed the land tortoise sustained little injury when to the poisoned atmosphere, a buzzing noise in the great air-tube of one lung was tied; but in- the ears, partial or total loss of vision, an unstead of tying this tube, he contrived to make defined, vague feeling of intense dread or horthe animal breathe carbonic acid gas through ror succeed, and are rapidly followed by somit, and death took place in a few hours. 4th. nolency or syncope. Subsequently, according The symptoms caused by inhaling the gas much to Dr. G. BIRD, all power of volition disappears; diluted may be produced by the application of it the pulse, which was previously above one to the internal surface of the stomach, or even hundred, falls to forty or fifty; respiration beto the skin. It is well known that aerated wa- comes slow and laborious; the surface,univer. ter not infrequently causes giddiness and a pass-sally cold, and often livid; the lips blue or vioing intoxication when drank too freely, especially by persons unaccustomed to it. The sparkling wines owe to this gas a portion of

let; the eyes retaining, in most cases, their lustre. Gradually these symptoms increase in intensity, frequently with the accession of te

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retched and vomited. In some the pulse was quick, in others it was slow; in many irregular, and in all feeble. (See Edin. Med. and Surg. Journ., xiii., 353; xxxii., 345.)

tanic convulsions, and, in a few instances, raging delirium. White or bloody foam appears before the mouth and nostrils, vomiting takes place, and the sufferer sometimes expires in the act; but he as frequently breathes his last without vomiting, and, in this case, the tongue is protruded, or firmly clinched between the teeth. He is usually found in a calm and sleep-ly sprinkled with livid spots, often bluish or like attitude, the countenance always retaining a placid expression, which even the vomiting, that often occurs in the last moments, had not disturbed.

603. Persons who have been exposed to an atmosphere vitiated by carbonic acid gas, "until insensibility, cessation of pulsation in the smaller arterial trunks, and suspension of respiration supervene, frequently exist for a considerable time, if removed from the poisoned atmosphere, appearing partially to survive, exciting hopes too frequently fallacious; as such persons almost always sink, even after living for several days in a state of somnolency." A case, however, is recorded by Dr. BABINGTON, in which a singularly judicious treatment was successful; and others have since recovered from this very dangerous state.

604. C. A small quantity of the mixed gases, proceeding from the slow combustion of tallow or oily substances, will produce dangerous symptoms. Dr. BLACKADDER ascertained (Edin. New Philos. Journ., i., 224) that the vapour into which oil is resolved, previously to its forming flame round the wick, excites, even in minute quantity, intense headache. The emanations from the burning snuff of a candle are probably of the same nature, and very poisonous; and an instance of such effect is adduced by Dr. CHRISTISON. A party amused themselves by holding under the nose of a boy asleep the smoke of an extinguished candle. At first he was roused a little each time; but after half an hour, during which this was repeated, he began to breathe laboriously, and was attacked by incessant epileptic convulsions, and died on the third day. The effects of these emanations are probably partly owing to the presence of an empyreumatic volatile oil, which is an active poison (668).

605. D. The admixture of sulphurous acid gas with the carbonic being inhaled in a diluted state, is extremely deleterious. When, however, the sulphurous acid gas is present in any quantity, the irritant effects produced by it, especially on the lungs and air-tubes, will often prevent accidents which might have occurred if carbonic acid gas only had been present. Instances have been recorded where the admixture of these gases have proved fatal, especially in mines. The symptoms produced by these gases, and those caused by the gradual contamination of the air in a confined apartment in which a number of living beings are enclosed, are very nearly the same, although the causes are not identical. It was found in the instances which occurred in mines, that, although the lights continued to burn, the men were poisoned; the symptoms being difficulty of breathing, pain and beating in the head, giddiness and ringing in the ears, palpitation and anxiety followed by vomiting, weakness and pains in the limbs, and, finally, loss of recollection. To these succeeded frantic delirium in some, terror in others, and insensibility in the rest. Many

606. E. Appearances of the dead Body.-a. Externally, these vary with the circumstances of particular cases; but the surface is generalreddish brown, passing into violet; and these are most numerous in the most depending parts. The limbs are in some cases very flexible, in others as rigid. The fingers are often irregularly bent, sometimes stiff and extended. The arms are occasionally thrown across the chest, especially if spasms have preceded death. Opposite statements have been made as to the persistence of the animal heat, and as to the rapid or slow development of decomposition. The tongue is found projecting, and often clinched between the teeth, unless vomiting preceded death, and then it is usually in its natural position. The mouth is often covered with a white or bloody foam. The face is in some cases red and bloated, in others pale and placid. The eyes generally retain their vivacious aspect; they are sometimes injected. The pupils are dilated. The features are always in a state of repose. The interior of the nostrils, in some instances, are lined with a black, fuliginous deposit. The abdomen is distended with air. (Dr. G. BIRD.)

607. b. On dissection, the coverings of the head are found injected with blood. The vessels of the dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater, as well as the sinuses, are found turgid with blood; and serous effusion often exists beneath the arachnoid. The surface of the brain is always injected, often reddish; occasionally the cerebral substance is somewhat softened, and presents the appearance of recent inflammation. The lateral ventricles generally contain fluid, sometimes limited to one side; and serous effusion is met with at the base of the brain. In addition to this congested state of the brain and cerebellum, extravasation of blood is found in a few instances; in one case, universal effusion of blood between the arachnoid and pia mater, and extending to the cerebellum; in another, into the lateral ventricles. Dr. G. BIRD states that the blood found in the cerebral vessels is black in some cases, and florid in others; and even black in some vessels, and florid in others, in the same case. Occasionally the blood is fluid, and very thick; in others remarkably thin, and in some coagulated. Effusion of reddish serum into the pleura and pericardium is frequent. The lungs are sometimes expanded, and full of air and blood; in others, collapsed. In many, their tint is blackish violet; in others, red, spotted with black; and in some, quite natural, and presenting merely the usual cadaveric turgescence and blackness posteriorly. The blood in their vessels is often black, sometimes florid, and even both; the vessels are frequently turgid, but occasionally nearly empty. The cavities of the heart, and the blood found in them, present as opposite appearances, in different cases, as have been described in respect of the lungs. The same remark applies to the larynx and trachea. The pharynx and oesophagus are usually healthy, and sometimes contain food, as if the patient had expired in the act of vomiting; but in the

last moments of life, the contents of the stom- | course to electricity, or to electro-galvanism, ach are regurgitated without effort rather than should not be neglected, more especially as the vomited. The abdominal viscera are generally progress of such cases is not generally so raphealthy, whatever lesion they present being ref- id as to preclude the adoption of these means. erable to other causes. The veins are most When the temperature is much depressed, usually congested, and more or less of serous warm baths, with salt, mustard, &c., in the effusion into the peritoneal cavity is sometimes baths, should not be neglected. In Dr. BABINGseen. The blood in the abdominal veins is TON's case, decided benefit was derived from coagulated in some cases, and fluid in others. the inhalation of oxygen gas. But much will The muscles are stated to be extremely lacera- depend upon the adaptation of the various ble, owing to the absence of irritability of vital means to the states of the nervous system and cohesion; but Dr. G. BIRD contends that such of the circulation at the time of their adminisis not the case in some. tration. As many of the cases of poisoning by this gas are of considerable duration, sufficient time is generally afforded to ascertain the efficacy of remedies.

610. ii. CARBONIC OXIDE GAS.-When this gas is thrown slowly into the veins, it gives the arterial blood a brownish tint, and induces, for a short time, a state resembling intoxication (NYSTEN). But it is certainly more deleterious than the experiments of NYSTEN would seem to indicate. An assistant of Mr. HIGGINS, after inhaling this gas two or three times, was seized with giddiness, tremours, and approach to insensibility, succeeded by languor, weakness, and headache. Another assistant, having previously exhausted his lungs, inhaled the pure gas three or four times, and was suddenly deprived of sense and motion, and continued insensible for half an hour, during which time he was apparently lifeless, with the pulse nearly extinct. Various means were tried for rousing him, without success; till, at last, oxygen gas was blown into the lungs. Animation then returned rapidly; but he was affected for the rest of the day with convulsive movements, stupor, violent headache, and quick, irregular pulse; and after his senses were restored, he suffered from giddiness, blindness, nausea, alternate heats and chills, succeeded by feverish, broken, but irresistible sleep.

608. F. The Modus Operandi of diluted Carbonic Acid Gas.-This physician, who has paid much attention to the subject, concludes, from his researches, that an atmosphere containing carbonic acid gas will produce death, although it may contain a sufficient amount of oxygen to support life, per se, and to allow the arterialization of the blood to proceed. On which account, no dependence can be placed on the dark or florid colour of the blood, as arguments for or against poisoning by carbonic acid gas. He considers that this gas, when diluted, acts primarily upon the nervous system; and secondarily, but by no means essentially, upon the circulating fluid; that death is caused by the accession of apoplexy, often attended by serous effusion into the ventricles, or on the surface of the brain, and sometimes even by the extravasation of blood; and that no importance can be attached to the states of the surface, of the features, of the blood, of the limbs and muscles, and of the thoracic and abdominal muscles, as proofs of poisoning by carbonic acid gas. I need only add to this statement, that during the inhalation of this gas, or of admixtures of it with other gases, the injurious action may be produced not only through the medium of the nerves, but also by the passage of the gas itself into the circulation, where it may act more directly on the ganglial nerves of the brain, influencing its innervation, its circulation, and vital manifestations, and there-reted hydrogen gas are more or less narcotic by giving rise to the symptoms and structural and injurious, although much less noxious than lesions above described. These lesions are sulphureted hydrogen.-A. Sir H. DAVY found chiefly congestion of the vessels of the brain, that, when he breathed a mixture of two parts with contingent serous effusion, and, more of air and three of carbureted hydrogen, he was rarely, sanguineous extravasation. Beyond attacked with giddiness, headache, and tranthese, but little structural change, at least of a sient weakness of the limbs. When he breathprecise and obvious nature, is met with, either ed this gas in a pure state, the first inspiration constantly or generally, although various alter-caused a sense of numbness in the muscles of ations in the colour and states of both the fluids and soft solids are observed; but they are so different, or even opposite, in different cases, that no importance can be attached to them.

611. iii. CARBURETED HYDROGEN GAS-COAL GAS.-The several species or admixtures of carbu

the throat; the second, an overpowering sense of oppression. in the chest, and insensibility to external objects; during the third, he felt sinking into death, and the mouth-piece dropped from his hand. On recovering his senses, which happened in less than a minute, he continued to suffer for some time from a suffocating feeling, extreme exhaustion, and feebleness of the pulse. Throughout the rest of the day he was

609. G. Treatment. This should consist of cupping or general blood-letting, but cupping on the nape of the neck generally, and preferably; of an occasional recourse to cold or tepid affusions on the head and neck; of the application of derivative means to the lower ex-affected with weakness, giddiness, and rending tremities, and of stimulative embrocations to the chest and limbs; and of the administration of enemata, containing camphor, asafoetida, with active purgatives, as turpentine, castor oil, &c. The quantity of blood which should be taken by cupping ought to be regulated by the symptoms and the progress of the poisonous effects. When these means are inefficient, owing to the existing torpor and insensibility, 612. B. Coal gas and oil gas, which are mixartificial inflation of the lungs and even re-ed and variable gases, appear to be inert, or

headache. Colliers, however, breathe the air of coal-mines without apparent injury, although strongly impregnated with this gas; and NysTEN found it inert when injected into the veins. Probably the concentration of the gas, or the impregnation of the air with it, requires to be carried up to a certain point before its poisonous operation is produced.

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