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LECTURES ON MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE,
LONDON, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, cattle.
LECTURES
When LINNÆUS made his tour in
botanist found that it
JURISPRUDENCE,
NOW IN COURSE OF
[1836-37.
Lapland, hundreds of cattle died without any assignable cause. On investigation, the
ON
MEDICAL
1837.
arose
from the water
hemlock, which abounded in every meadow, and had been cropped by the cattle. This plant is an aquatic, with a thick, fleshy, root, interspersed with lacunæ, or cavities, which are filled with a yellowish milky-looking juice. The leaves are large,
DELIVERY,
AT
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON.
composed of tri-pinnate leafiets, on a cylindrical furrowed stem, rising from two to three feet in height. The umbel, which is situated at the extremity of the stem, conLECTURE XLVII. sists of from ten to fifteen equal rays ; the CICUTA VIROSA :-Botanical characters of tht flowers are small and white, with the petals ivater hemlock. Effects of poisoning therethe fruit is globular and spread equally; ivith. Treatment and post-mortem appear; angled. Cicuta virosa is readily distinguishanees. GENANTHE CROCATA:—.Bo
,
850 Mr. HOWELL, of Haverford West, relates any of the cases : I have never seen a case a case of this kind, in which eleven French of poisoning by it. The treatment consists in clearing the prisoners were poisoned by mistaking it for stomach of the poison as rapidly as possible, celery. Eight of them were strongly affectby means of emetics ; and, afterwards, ern- ed, but two only died. Indeed, numerous illploying the same remedies as in cases of stances of the poisonous influence of oenaapoisoning by narcotics, to subdue the narco- the crocata are on record. The poison, tism. Dashing cold water upon the face whatever it may be, is a fixed substance, and chest, or pouring it upon the back of as the distilled water of the plant is not the neck, has been productive of very bene- poisonous ; and from the length of time oc. ficial effects. curringbetween takingthe poison and the Another umbelliferous aquatic is equally commencement of its effects, it appears to be evolved by the digestive process, and poisonous, namely, afterwards taken into the circulation. The (ENANTHE CROCATA. post-mortem examination of the body de(Enanthe crocata, hemlock water drop- monstrates its powerful topical action ; but, wort, is a common indigenous plant, grow. besides the stomach, the membranes of the ing on the banks of ditches and in watery brain also display indications of inflammaplaces, flowering in June; it grows to the tory action. The treatment in cases of poi. height of two or three feet; the root is fleshy, soning by oenanthe croecctu is simple. It and filled with a milky-looking juice, which consists in emptying the stomach as rapidly becomes of a yellow, saffron hue, when it is as possible by means of emetics ; in subexposed to the air. The leaves are large, duing the inflammatory action, both general and supported on a dilated petiole ; they and topical, by bloodletting ; in administerare three times winged, and formed of ing, liberally, demulcents and diluents; and, deeply-incised leaflets, with obtuse divi- when the force of the primary symptoms is sions. The flowers are white, pressed one abated, in giving the vegetable acids. against the other, and supported on umbels ÆTHUSA CYNAI’IUM. composed of rays so short that the umbelÆthusa cynapium, fool’s parsley, is an in. lules appear also as if compressed upon one another; both the involucres and the digenous plant, very common in gardens, involucels are composed of linear leaflets : and found often growing amongst parsley ; the fruit, which is crowned both by the hence many accidents have resulted from persistant calyx and the styles, is ovoid and its being eaten with that plant. The root is fusiform; the stem branched, cylindrical, oblong. Every part of this plant is poisonous ; its hollow, and frequently reddish at its lower recent juice is so acrid that it excoriates the part; the plant seldom exceeds, in this skin when it is applied to it. A man who country, two feet in height. The flowers was employed by MM. CORMERIAS and are white, supported on umbels, with nnPIRAN-DUFAILLAY to crush the plant, pre- equal rays; there are no involucres; the paratory to their making an analysis of it, involucels are linear, long, lateral, and penwas attacked with irritation of the hands dent, which readily distinguishes it from and the arms, with sharp, lancinating pains, parsley ; it is also distinguished from that an eruption, swelling of the face, accelera- plant by it:; foetid odour, which adheres to tion of the pulse, and other symptoms of the fingers when the plant is bruised begreat irritation, which continued for fifteen tween them. Æthusa cynapiinn has often been eaten days. A morsel of the root, the size of a walnut, was eaten by a man, and killed him as a salad, and has frequently caused death. in two hours. The symptoms were rigors, M. LALE, a physician practising at Fontesheat in the throat and stomach, delirium, rault, has published two cases of poisoning convulsions, and coma. These symptoms by æthusa cynapium, eaten in a salad. In were accompanied with red, ecchymosed one the efl’ects were not felt until an hour patches on the face and chest, and loss of after the salad was eaten, when the patient sensibility. The effects of the poison were was attacked with vertigo, nausea, coma, not felt for some time after the root was cold sweats, and coldness of the extremities, eaten, but death ensued in four hours. RAY, which soon terminated in death. The body the botanist, has described eight cases of rapidly became covered with large ecchypoisoning by oenanthe crocala, of which five moses ; and, on opening it, the stomach preproved fatal, and Mr. WATSON has related sented signs of previous inflammation, as one which terminated in death in three was also the case with the peritoneum. The hours and a half, although the symptoms spleen was gorged with blood; the lungs did not commence for an hour and a half wen’ also tinged with blood ; and all the after the poison was swallowed. cavities of the heart were filled : the brain The herbaceous part of the plant has was not examined. In the other case, much been mistaken by the ignorant for wild of the poison was rejected by vomiting; celery, the foliage of which it somewhat but, nevertheless, chronic gastritis super. resembles. vened, and in a few weeks the patient died.
851 into six lanceolate, keeled segbody was much emaciated ; there was limb divided the filaments are subulate, adhering and intestinal of the ments ; peritoneum phlogosis canal; suppuration of the villous coat of to the upper part of the tube of the corolla, the stomach; ulcerated spots in the small and supporting yellow, erect anthers. The intestines; and scirrliotis portions in the stigmas are revolute. The
Climate and season have a considerable influence in modifying the poisonous proSCILLA MARITIMA. perties of colchicum autumnale; and, on When the Scilla maritima, squill, the this account, the most opposite opinions bulb of which isa well-known article of the of its influence have been frequently held Materia Medica, is overdosed, or, when it by different writers. HALLER says that it is is taken by some individuals, even in mode- both tasteless and inert in autumn, although rate doses, it displays poisonous propetties ; that is the period of the year when it is most but the latter efl’ect depends upon idiosyn - active in this country. KRAPF, a German crasy. VOGEL mentions a case where grs. author, says that the bulb is eaten in Carxxiv. proved fatal. I have witnessed several niola and Istria, and CRATCHWILL, another instances in which the ordinary medicinal German, states that he ate ss. of the bulb dose of the tincture, or the powder of the with impunity. M. COLLINS, also, mentions dried squill, caused very alarming symp- mo,e than one instance in which the bulb toms ; violent colic, purging, palpitation 0: had been eaten without any poisonous rethe heart, diflicult or embarrassed breath- sult. STOERCK affirms that he ate an entire ing, dilatation of the pupils, and bloody bulb with impunity. urine. In one case, which terminated faIdiosyncracy must, however, be kept in tally, an eruption, not unlike that of pur- view in explaining some of these facts. I pura hœmorrhagica appeared, attended with knew a lady who took, by mistake, f 3x. of Such the wine of the seeds of colchicum at one a considerable degree of collapse. instances, however, are rare. No cases of draught, without experiencing the smallest squill used expressly as a poisonous agent inconvenience from this extraordinary dose. are on record. Every part of the plant, the bulb, the The post-mortem examination of persons leaves, the flowers, and the seed, is poisonpoisoned by squill has displayed inflamma- ous. The influence of the bulb and the tion of the mucous membrane, and a slight- seeds, as medicinal agents, is well known ; and they have frequently proved fatal when ly gorged condition of the brain. after clearing the stomach the medicinal preparations of them have by emetics, consists in the liberal adminis- been overdosed. tration of camphor, opium, and cordials. The flowers have frequently proved fatal to cattle that have been feeding in the meaCOLCHICUM AUTUMNALE. dows containing them. GARIDEL relates Colchicum ccuturnnule has been longer the case of a man who having eaten these known as a poisonous plant than as a the- flowers as a remedy in ague, was afflicted rapeutical agent. It was the hermadacty- with severe pains of the bowels, and also lis of the ancients, and it is mentioned in general pains, which continued for three several of the writings of the old herhalists days. They possess the same medicinal as a powerful remedy for gout. Every part properties as the bulb and the seed. of the plant is poisonous, its botanical chaThe seeds have a sweetish taste, and are, racters, therefore, should be well under- consequently, attractive to children. BRENT, stood. It is an indigenous annual plant, a German author, has recorded an instance with a perennial root, and is found growing’ of two children who ate some of the seeds ; in rich meadows in Essex, Suflblk, and they vomited most violently; and one child many parts of England; and, indeed, over died. the greater part of Europe. It sends up The symptoms of poisoning by colchicum, a naked, pinkish-lilac flower in August and are violent and incessant vomiting, accomSeptember, whence its specific name. The panied with hypercatharsis of thin, bilious bulb, which is reproduced every year, is stools at first, which are followed by others solid, like a small egg, covered with a having the appearance of washings of meat; brownish coat, and indented on one side by and these are succeeded by bloody stools. the young stalk ; the leaves, which appear There are great anxiety, violent agitations, in spt’iua.’, are radial, spear-shaped, and from extreme prostration of strength, and cold ten to fourteen inches long, although only clammy perspirations, preceding the fatal five inches above the ground. The seed- issue. In some of the recorded cases, delivessel of the flower which appears in au- rium is mentioned, but I have never seen tumn, is elevated in the bosom of the leaves : any affection of the sensorium in those cases it is a three-lobed, three-celled capsule, which have come under my notice. seated on a thick, short peduncle. The The post-mortem examination of the body seeds ripen about the end of June. The has displayed redness, indicating inflammaNewer consists of a monopetalous corolla,, tion of the mucous membrane of both the with a tube of considerable length, and a stomach and the intestinal canal; this memomentum.
The treatment,
852 brane is also ed
interspersed
with dark-colour-
spots, resembling gangrene ; the brain
is
natural. Veratria. The active principle of the colchicum is veratria, a resinoid which was discovered by PELLETIER and CAVENTOU, in 1819. It has been found also in the seeds of veratrum album, and those of helonias officinalis, in all of which it exists in the state of a gallate. Veratria, when separated from the vegetable matter, and freed from the gallic acid, is colourless and pulverulent, with an acrid taste; but it is free from bitterness: it has no odour ; nevertheless it excites, when snuffed up the nostrils, the most violent, long-continued sneezing. When it is
poisoning by colchicum, or any of its preparations, or by veratria, the first object is to evacuate the stomach, and then to administer freely opium, camphor, brandy, and ammonia : but, as I have already informed you, in no instance have I seen recovery follow from any treatment. ACONITUM PANICULATE!.
Aconitum paniculatum, which has been long known as a poison, and as a medicinal agent, and is now more than ever employed, on account of the resinoid which it yields, is a poison of great power. The early period at which its poisonous influence was known, may be collected from the fables which pretend to describe its ori. gin. OviD, in describing the ascent of Herinternally administered, in large doses, it cules from hell, dragging after him the causes, first, nausea and vomiting, and then triple-headed Cerberus, says, that the rage hypercatharis, collapse, and death. In no of the dog, on being exposed to the light of instance have I seen recovery to take place. the sun, caused him to emit a froth which The habit sinks rapidly, and it cannot again impregnated the soil with this poisonous be roused, nor has any thing been able to plant. check the purging. « Has concresse putant, nactasque alimenta feracis Veratria is nearly insoluble in cold water, Fecundique soli, vires cepisse nocendi, and even in water at 212°; the quantity must Quas quia nascuntur dura vivacia cante Agrestes ACONITA vocant."" be 1000 parts of the fluid to one of veraAusoNlUs makes the growth of the blood tria ; aether takes it up sparingly; but alcohol dissolves it most readily. It has an al- of the wound of Prometheus,kaline reaction, and neutralises acids, but it " Unde Prometheo de corpore sanguineus ros does not form readily crystallised salts : it Aspergit cautes, et dura ACONITA creat cos."f is a compound of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, The name " aconituni" is, with much and nitrogen. probability, according to ANTIGONIJS CARYSVeratria, in poisonous doses, has a more THlUS, derived from Acones, a borough in decided topical action than any of the other the of Heracleum, in Ponneighbourhood narcotico-acrid poisons, inflaming violently where the plant grows in great abunthe mucous surface before it displays its tus, dance. narcotic influence. In doses of two grains The whole of the genus aconitum pos. of the acetate it kills a strong dog, causing sesses properties ; and the spevomiting and hypercatharsis, and tetanic cies A. poisonous is so powerful in its action ferox spasms before death. It has very rarely that the is employed to poison large been administered internally, on account oi tanks of plant as an engine of war, by water, its acrimony ; but M. MAGENDIE has record some of the Asiatic nations. My friend Dr. ed a case of apoplexy in an old man t(] WALLICH’s botanical knowledge saved a whom he gave it; at first to the extent only of the Bristish army from falling great part of a quarter of a grain, and afterwards, by victims to this diabolical mode of warfare, gradually augmenting the dose, to one grain in our contest with the Burmese. The army and a half, and two grains in twenty-foui of the Burmese had suddenly retreated, hours. without any particular cause, and had left In cases of poisoning by colchicum, I am the British troops to take up their quarters not aware of any means of determining tht in a advantageous situation, well supof the nature poison except by the symp pliedvery with water in tanks. In these resertoms. If veratria itself have been given by voirs, however, Dr. WALLICH perceived mistake, and any of the poison remain, H large quantities of the aconitum ferox depo. may be recognised partly by its physical and prevented the soldiers from using sited, characters, and partly by the action of nitric the water. Had the discovery not been made and sulphuric acid upon it. The former is in time to prevent the water from being first reddened, and then changed to yellow; it would have, undoubtedly, proved but the latter is first changed to yellow, then used,to fatal many of our men, and have given to to red, and, lastly, to a violet colonr: but the Burmese an easy victory over the surseveral of the other resinoids are affected vivers. by these acids in nearly the same manner, The properties of aconite were consequently the result of their action is of so wellpoisonous known to the ancients, that the term no value, unless in combination with the
symptoms. With regard to the treatment of
’
cases
01
MetMnorph., b, vii., v. 411. t Idyl. xii., v. 78.
823 aconite
was
nation of "
employed
as a
general desig-
poisons:
-
Fictilibus."
nulla aconitd bibuntur JUVENAL.
It was the juice of aconite which formed the poison-cup presented to old men in Ceos, when they were no longer useful to the state. According to THEOPHRASTUS, also, it was a chief ingredient in the slow poison of the ancients, which operated in a determinate time. It was even in latter times be-
lieved that simply handling the plant was dangerous. A young Swiss danced with his affianced a whole evening, holding a bunch of aconite flowers in his hand : both died at the termination of a few hours. But HAL1,ER doubts this poisoning power of aconite by simple contact, as he amrms that he has seen the flocks reposing quietly in the Alps amidst tufts of aconite. When eaten, however, it is poisonous to many quadrupeds :
were to be pardoned if they survived, says, that one of them took 3j. of the powdered root, and repeated the dose
criminals who
after an interval of an hour and a half. Three hours afterwards he became languid, and was attacked with fainting, vomiting, and convulsive movements of the eyes, the mouth, and the neck, symptoms which were followed by coma and death. Every part of the plant is poisonous, but the root posWhen the sesses the greatest virulence. expressed juice of the recent plant is inspissated at a low temperature, the extract possesses the poisonous properties of the plant in an eminent degree; but the alcoholic resinous extract made from the dried plant is more poisonous than the aqueous extract made from the decoction of the dried plant. This is easily understood, as we know that the active principle is a resinoid which can be easily separated by alcohol. PALLAS mentions that five persons were killed by drinking a spirituous infusion of the plant, which they mistook for lovage : other cases of a similar kind are on record.
English name, wolfsbane, is explanatory of its known poisonous properties to wolves. Some unjustifiable experiments were made with aconite upon condemned criminals at Prague by the order of the emperor FERDIAconitinti. NAND the First; and also at Rome, by MAAconitinci, the name of this resinoid, is in THIOLUS, acting under the authority of Pope CLEMENT the Seventh, in order to determine the form of granular crystals, inodorous, its poisonous properties on man, of which with a bitter taste, which, however, is supthey left no doubt. posed to depend on another salt with which it is, more or less, always combined, namely, The aconites belong to the natural order anemenina. Aconitina is soluble in 150 nauuTacliluceccthey are readily distinguish- parts of cold, and 50 of boiling water; alcoed as plants by the petaloid character of hol and aether dissolve it readily. It is dethe irregular calyx, which is formed of six composed by heat, which is the cause of unequal sepals, the superior and largest of the variable character of extracts of the which is in the shape of a helmet or a plant prepared for medicinal use. It has an monkshood ; thence another English appel- alkaline reaction, and forms salts with weak lation of the plant, namely, monkshood; the acids. In many of its properties it closely two lateral sepals are flat, and unequally resembles delphia. When aconite is taken internally it does rounded ; the two inferior are small, oval, aud entire. The corolla, also, is singular in not immediately display its poisonous its form, being composed of two petals, powers. After an hour or more it causes which are concealed under the hood of the a burning heat in the stomach, ascending to calyx, and which have some resemblance to the fauces, thirst, swelling of the abdomen, tlze;ornament usually displayed on the cro- vomiting, the most severe colic, with purgsiers of the Catholic bishops. The species ing, vertigo, headach, a fixed stare of the are of various shades of blue and yellow, eyes, a small quick pulse, hurried respiraand some of them are nearly white. tion, trembling, cold clammy perspiration, The fresh plant, like most of the natural and death. These’symptoms demonstrate, order to which it belongs, irritates and strikingly, both the acrimony and the narcoblisters the skin when rubbed upon it, and tic power of the poison. The post-mortem examination of the body when a small portion of it is chewed it causes a sensation of burning heat and pain, displays redness of the stomach and of the which extends to the pharynx, and inflames small intestines ; the gullet and the rectum the parts. This was experienced both by also exhibit indications of innammatory Sir BEN. BRODIE, by Dr. CIIRISTISON, and action ; the lungs are gorged, as are also the by myself; and, in some of the cases on cerebral vessels. Little satisfactory can be said respecting record, the earliest symptom is stated to be a tingling in the jaws, which extends over the treatment of poisoning by aconite; and the body. Two or three drachms of the one of the greatest obstacles in the way of plant are sufficient to poison a strong man. affording relief arises from the symptoms of WILLIS mentions a case which proved fatal, poisoning not appearing until the digestion in which the chief symptom was maniacal of the substance, and the absorption of the delirium. MATHIOLUS, also, in recording resinoid into the system. Still, however, the results of his experiments on condemnedfrom seeing the topical effect of the poison,
its
854 the necessity of clearing the stomach is I need not inform you that the ergot is evident. The after-treatment is indicated now much used in promoting the action of by the symptoms; topical bloodletting totlze uterus in parturition ; and, as it has sttbdue the inflammation, and the usual been erroneously supposed to operate in treatment of cases of narcotic poisoningcausing uterine action, it has been employed afterwards, with a liberal use of acidulated in every period of pregnancy to produce demulcents. Opiate frictions have been criminal abortion, and has caused poisonous found to prove beneficial. symptoms, in these cases, of the most alarm. The ancients regarded rue as the antidote ing kind, which, in some instances, have of aconite. We are told that after the tyrant terminated fatally. In a case to which I CLEARCHUs had poisoned many persons with was called, where the object was to expel it, the inabitants of Heracleum never went a blighted foetus, fever was induced, with out of their houses without having eaten flushed face, a rending sensation of the head, rue. Modern experience has not confirmed and the other symptoms which I have de. scribed as cliaracterising its poisonous in. the virtues of rue. fluence. The means taken to relieve this !
SECALE CORNUTVM.
The secale cornutum, or ergot, is a parasitic plant, which is now known under the name acinula claris. This plant, growing upon rye, and some other grains, produces a diseased condition of the grain, by which it is elongated to twice its ordinary length, is curved, somewhat angiilar, and of a dark violet-brown colour. Analysis has thrown
patient were topical bloodletting, pnrging,
and saline medicines ; but, although this case recovered, yet, as I have seen no other in. stance of poisoning by the ergot, I cannot affirm that such a plan of treatment is the best adapted to save a patient who has been
poisoned by ergot. NUX VOMICA.
Nux zorrcicct is the seed of a species of upon the nature of ergot, and an obstacle stands in the way of a correct strychnos. In common with the greater analysis of this substance, namely, the dif- number of the species of the genus, it pos. ficulty of separating it from the diseased sesses powerful acro-narcotic properties, which depend on two alkaloids, easily sepagrain. Long before this diseased rye was em- rated, namely, strychnia and brucine. The ployed as a medicinal agent, its deleterious seed of the strychnos, nux vomica, is round agency had been severely felt, on more than and flat, slightly convex upon one side and one occasion, in the north of Europe, and in concave on the other, nearly an inch in dia some of the French provinces where rye is meter, and about three-tenths of an inch very generally used in making bread. The thick. It is of a greyish colour, and covermost tremendous of the enidemics which it ed with a short, silky down. The interior caused occurred in the north of Germany in of the seed, which is a dicotyledon, is of a 1770. The symptoms which characterised horny consistence, white, semitransparent, the disease produced by the use of the dis- or nearly so, acrid, and very bitter to the eased rye, were cramps of the limbs, accom- taste, with an odour not unlike that of lipanied with excruciating pains and formi- quorice. Nitric acid colours it orange cation ; the thorax, also, suffered from yellow; and the same colour, but redder, is pain, convulsions supervened, and an erup- communicated by the powder of the nux tion of livid spots broke out over the body. vomica soaked in alcohol. These symptoms were intermitted. In the Some animals, hogs and goats for examintervals, the pulse was natural, the appetite ple, feed on nux vomica with impunity. It voracious, and the excretions regular. In I has also very little influence on poultry. some other instances in which the disease M. DESPARTES fed a hen with it until gr. 60 was also epidemic the symptoms were those were taken for a dose, yet no bad effects reof extreme debility, numbness (occasionally sulted ; but when the dose was extended to of complete insensibility) of the extremities, 120 grains, it caused rigidity of the limbs, and great distention of the crop, gangrene of the toes and legs, and dropping off of the joints, the cases terminating but still the fowl survived. On the tweneither in death or fatuity. In these cases tieth day of the experiment gr. iv. of the it affected equally quadrupeds and man. It extract were given, and in three hours afteris remarkable, however, that those animals wards gr. 160 of the powdered seed: the on whom poisons usually operate nearly in animal died in a state of tetanic rigidity. the same manner as upon man, namely, dogs Many animals, on the contrary, are rapidly and cats, suffer least from the influence of poisoned by nux vomica ; rats, cats, foxes, and dogs soffer. When dogs swallow from ergot. The symptoms produced by ergot, when gr. xx. to gr. xxx. of tlia powder, they are it has been overdosed, and not baked in quickly attacked with all the symptoms of bread, are flushing of the face, vertigo, tetanus, namely, twitchings, and sudden violent headach, pain and cramp of the extension of the limbs,-tremors, convulsive stomach; nausea, vomiting, purging, and a movements of the face and eyelids ; fixed. ness of the eyes; spastic rigidity of all the sensation of extreme languor. no
light
purging,
855 and involuntary emission of urine. While life continues these symptoms reoccur on the slightest touch, or even noise; nevertheless, the mind, if I may so express myself, seems to remain entire to the last. The same effects occur if the extract be applied to a wound, or a solution of it injected into the pleura. Dr. CHRISTISON says, " I have seen a dog die in two minutes after the injection of 1-Gth of a grain into the pleura." It produces no effect when it is applied to the sound skin. M. DELILE wounded a dog in the thigh with a piece of wood smeared with the extract of nux vomica; the quantity of the extract was only gr.jss., yet it caused tetanic convulsions, and proved fatal in five minutes after the first paroxysm. The influence of nux vomica is equally severe on man. It has too often been used as a poisonous agent by the suicide, of which many cases might be cited, but I shall refer to two only, because they are well authenticated, and the symptoms which attended them were well marked.
muscles,
ened ; the legs pushed out and forced wide
apart. I could not perceive either pulse or respiration ; the face and hands were livid, the muscles of the former, especially of the lips, violently agitated, and she made constantty a moaning, chattering noise. I thought she was not unlike one in an epileptic fit, but that she did not struggle, though she was forced straight out : it became difficult to keep her from falling on the floor. " In the short intervals of these attacks she was quite sensible, was tormented with incessant thirst, perspired, had a quick and faint pulse, complained of being very sick, made many attempts to vomit, and, when requested, put her finger into her throat with a view of exciting it. To the question whether she was in pain? she replied,No, no,
no.’
" A fourth and
more
vehement attack
in which the whole body extended to the utmost: she was rigidly stiff from head to foot, insomuch that, with all the force I could exert, I could not bend the pelvis on the thighs to replace her The first is one detailed by Mr. OLLIER, in her seat. From this time she never r°eco. surgeon to the Western Dispensary.* An vered, but fell into a state of asphyxia, and hour had passed before lllr. 0. saw the never breathed again. She now loosened woman; he found her sitting at the fire nn- her grasp ; her discoloured hands dropped disturbed, the pulse at 80, and regular. She upon her knees ; her face, too, was livid ; had taken half an ounce of the poison : in the brows contracted ; the lips wide apart, the whole of the closed teeth, and about ten minutes after the time Mr. 0. saw her she was still quite free from pain, but a salivary foam issued plentifully from the she seemed alarmed. " She had thrown her- corners of her mouth. The expression of self back in her chair, and her legs were the whole countenance was at this moment extended and considerably separated. She frightful. In lifting her up to lay her in requested the landlord of the house, who at bed we discovered that the urine had been that moment came into the room, to leave it discharged. This took place in little more immediately. A perspiration had broken than half an hour after I first saw her, about out on her skin, her pulse had become faint a quarter before three in the morning. and quick, and she called frequently for " At about eigh1.o’elock, when I saw her drink. I mixed two drachms of pulvis again, she was still as straight and stiff as a ipecacuanhæ in a tea-cupful of warm water, statue. If you lifted one of her hands the of which I gave her about one-fourth every whole body moved with it, but the face had five minutes, and of which I got down four become pale in comparison, and its expresdoses, the last with great difficulty. She sion more placid. The side which lay next had, also, warm water at intervals, to still the bed was not yet cold; she had not, howher repeated calls for drink; but of this she ever, been then undressed." was not permitted to swallow much, nor inIn another case, recorded by Dr. TACHEdeed did she seem inclined to do so when it RON, of Paris, which recovered, the intelwas at her lips. lectual faculties appeared to be a little " Before I was prepared," says Mr. OL- troubled, andthe woman wept occasionally, LiER, " to give her the first dose of her me- and on the second day she experienced a dicine, she had a slight and transient con- loss of sight for two hours. The thirst in vulsion. On recovering from it she was in this case, also, was very urgent. great trepidation, kept fast hold of her liusFrom the consideration of these, and other band, and refused to let him go, even for the alleged purpose of getting her drink. In cases on record the following mav be stated a few minutes afterwards she had another and as the symptoms of poisoning nux vomore violent attack, and shortly afterwards mica:— 1. A feeling of dread suddenly coming on another. I should estimate the duration of these fits at from a minute and a half to two about half an hour or an hour after the dose minutes. In them she retained her grasp ; of the poison has been taken; tremor, folher whole body was straightened and stiff. lowed by stupor, and a sensation of intoxsoon was
followed,
showing
by
* Med.
Rep. vol. xix.,
p. 448.
ication, quickly followed by general symp. toms of tetanus, namely, violent twitchings
856 in the legs and the arms, stiffness of the I that the nerves of sensation are also influ. muscles of the neck, trismus, severe pain enced. under the ensiform cartilage, laborious From the time which passes between takbreathing. ing the poison, and its effects displaying 2. The pulse is, at first, full and hard, but themselves, it is supposed that absorption not much accelerated; by degrees it be- takes place, and that the active principle is comes quick and feeble. These symptoms conveyed to the spinal chord ; but, although recur at intervals, during which the sensibi- this appears very plausible, yet it is by no lity of the body is so great that the motion means demonstrated. Thus, in the first of the air becomes a source of uneasiness, place, the nux vomica must undergo diges. and the smallest touch renews the tetanic tion before the active principle, the strychconvulsions. In these intervals the mind is nia, can be sufficiently separated to affect perfectly entire ; but sometimes there is the nerves of the stomach : on the other much confusion of thought, and some degree hand, when strychnia alone is given, some of delirium, a circumstance which distin- time also elapses before it begins to operate. guishes poisoning by nux vomica from poi- It must, however, be recollected, that soning by strychnia, which is its active prin- strychnia is of very diflicult solution, and ciple, in a separate state. Copious sweating requires the aid of an acid. When it is often attends these intervals. given in combination with an acid, the effect 3. The paroxysms increase in force, and is very rapid. In one case, in which an recur at shorter intervals; the spastic rigi- overdose of the acetate of stryehnia was addity increases; occasionally opisthotonos ministered, a few seconds only intervened displays itself, and death takes place in the between takingthe poison and the appearparoxysm. The cause of death is evidently ance of its effects. Again, when the infinthe prolonged spastic striction of the thora- ence of the poison has already displayed cic muscles of respiration: the diaphragm itself, an emetic will arrest the progress of is, also, in the same state; hence it is im- the symptoms, which would not be the case possible for the function of respiration to had absorption taken place, and did the proceed, and the animal dies from suffo- spmptoms wholly depend on the application cation. of the active principle to the spinal nerves. During the paroxysm the muscles of the From these facts, and from its influence on chest seem as hard as a stone, and the body reptiles, when it is introduced into wounds, retains, for many hours, the rigid state in I am induced to believe that it acts indepen, which death took place. dently of absorption. My opinion of its acting purely through In the post-mortem examination of the the nerves is further confirmed by the fact, body, the stomach occasionally, but not that many agents employed in medicine have always, displays symptoms of inflammation their influence directed to different parts of having been produced. In a case detailed the system, and act on these independently in HUFELAND’S Journal this was very strik- of absorption; thus, a poultice of rhubarb ing, but in Ml’. OLLIER’S case, and in all the purges, although no absorption takes place. The spinal column is the site of the irritainstances of dogs that iiave been poisoned with it, which I have examined, there was tive influence of nux vomica; if a portion of no redness of the stomach, nor of any por- the column be removed, no effect follows the administration or the application of either tion of the intestinal canal. The lungs are generally gorged with nux vomica or of strychnia; and FODERE black blood, and black fluid blood is found found that when the spinal chord is exposed ’ in an animal to whom strychnia is given, the in the arterial cavities of the heart. The vessels of the brain are usually con- convulsions can be arrested by pressure on gested. In a case related by ORFILA and the anterior segment of the chord. The correctness of this opinion is not a OLLivmn, there was serous effusion on the surface of the cerebellum, and a general matter of mere physiological speculation, softening of its cortical part; indeed, from but of practical importance ; for, if we can the effects of the poison, we are prepared to ascertain that no absorption takes place, our find that the cerebellum is affected. endeavours to remove the poison, or to neuOne appearance is invariably present, viz., tralise and destroy its energy, should not be a general contraction of the whole arterial limited to any period of its operation. system, and a consequent gorged condition of the veins. I have often seen the aorta in Strychnia and Brucia.-St. Ignatius’ Bean. I have already stated that nux vomica dogs reduced to the size of a crow-quill. owes its poisonous properties to the alkaline There is a diversity of opinion respect- substances, namely, strychnia and brucia, ingthe manner in which nux vomica ope- which are generally found mixed together in rates, but there can be no doubt that its in- the usual specimens of strychnia. fluence is exerted powerfully on the motor Strychnia is, when pure, colourless, inodotract of the spinal chord : the great sen- rous, and crystallised in four-sided prisms, sibility, however, of surface demonstrates terminated by a pyramid. It is so intensely
857 bitterness to the animal economy than nux vomica. The as to communicate 600,000 times its weight of water. It re- only case of human poisoning by it that I quires 6000 parts of water at 60°, and 2300 am aware of is one quoted in CHRISTISON’S at 212°, for its solution. It is insoluble in work, detailed by Dr. HOFF. Half a bean bitter
I
absolute alcohol and in asther, but it dis- was taken in brandy ; tetanic symptoms folsolves in diluted alcohol. It has an alka- lowed, but the man recovered. line reaction, and neutralises acids. It is a compound of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. I am not aware of any chemical test for it, in its pure state, except LECTURE S that it imparts a red-wine colour to iodic ON acid, yet iodine is not set free. Brucicc is less crystallisable than strychMATERIA MEDICA AND nia. It is more soluble in water, requiring THERAPEUTICS, only 850 parts at 600, and 500 at 212°, for its solution. With nitric acid it acquires a NOW IN COURSE OF DELIVERY blood-red colour, which passes into yellow ; AT THE and the addition of protochloride of tin produces a beautiful violet tint. WINDMILL-STREET SCHOOL OFMEDICINE. Both of these alkaloids operate in the BY same manner as nux vomica, but the strychiiia with much more violence, and its influGEORGE G. SIGMOND, M.D. This ence on the surface is more striking. was well illustrated in some experiments LECTURE XXVIII. which I made with it upon a snake, and some other reptiles.* Nux Voauen (concluded):—Its action on the nervous system. The functions of that sysIn cases of poisoning by nux vomica, tem. The therapeutic measures which they when the object is suicide, it is generally indicated. Influence of nux vomica on the taken in the state of powder, with the apanterior spinal nerves. Its effect on a dog. pearance of which we should be acquainted ; Intoxication from it. Its efect ort cases of the taste is bitter, and it acquires an orangeElectric state induced by it. paralysis. red colour, with nitric acid. the alcoholic extract and the of Preparation The effects of these re-agents are the same tincture. Best form for its administration. in the decoction, which is intensely bitter. Objections to the use of strychnia. Its rnere Infusion of galls precipitates it grayish. poisonous. Alleged antidotes. Its effluvium Ammoniacal sulphate of copper gives the trial in hydrophobia. Employment of nux decoction a green colour. The orange-red t’omica in Paris. Diseases in which it has produced by nitric acid is owing to the brucia succeeded. Cctses in which its use ivould be contained in conjunction with the strychnia injudicious. Incontinence of urine in chilin the nux vomica : the green colour is owing dren. Prolupsus of the mucous membrane to the igasuric acid, which is combined the rectum. Use of nux vomica as afeof with the brucia and the strychnia to render brifuge. Physicians who recommend nux them soluble. vomica. Enormous doses used. Probable The same result as with ammoniacal snlirnpurity of the drua. Poisoning by overphate of copper, takes place with infusion doses. Use of eau de Cologne as att antiof arnica montanum, an overdose of which dote. Testfor the purity of strychnia. causes symptoms closely resembling those of nux vomica ; and although nitric acid GENTLEMEN:—The narcotics which have causes no reddening in the infusion, yet this been the subject of my previous lectures is no proof that it does not contain strychnia, almost entirely exert their agency upon the as this alkaloid, when pure, causes no red- brain, and the nervous system which is deness with nitric acid. pendant on it. This is proved by their effects upon the mental powers; but the Before proceeding to notice the treatment, therapeutic agents which are to be found in let us examine the other substances which the strychnine family are more particularly produce poisoning in the same manner as distinguished by their influence upon the nux vomica, and evidently from the same medullary chord. I cannot, of course, enter much on the subject of the views entertaincause. The first of these is the ST.IGNATIUs’ bean, ed by the greatest physiologists of our time the seed of the strychnia sancti IgvinGii. relative to the nervous system; but, in orNitric acid acts on the powder of this seed der that you should fully understand the more powerfully than on that of nux vomica, mode of action of the nux vomica, and of as it contains more brucia than nux vomica. the alkali which is obtained from it, from It is, also, more energetic in its action on the bean of St. IGNATIUS, from the upas tieute, aud from other vegetables of the . same class, I must make some observations Elements of Mat. Med., &c. p. 180, note.
LECTURES
When LINNÆUS made his tour in
botanist found that it
JURISPRUDENCE,
NOW IN COURSE OF
[1836-37.
Lapland, hundreds of cattle died without any assignable cause. On investigation, the
ON
MEDICAL
1837.
arose
from the water
hemlock, which abounded in every meadow, and had been cropped by the cattle. This plant is an aquatic, with a thick, fleshy, root, interspersed with lacunæ, or cavities, which are filled with a yellowish milky-looking juice. The leaves are large,
DELIVERY,
AT
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON.
composed of tri-pinnate leafiets, on a cylindrical furrowed stem, rising from two to three feet in height. The umbel, which is situated at the extremity of the stem, conLECTURE XLVII. sists of from ten to fifteen equal rays ; the CICUTA VIROSA :-Botanical characters of tht flowers are small and white, with the petals ivater hemlock. Effects of poisoning therethe fruit is globular and spread equally; ivith. Treatment and post-mortem appear; angled. Cicuta virosa is readily distinguishanees. GENANTHE CROCATA:—.Bo
,
850 Mr. HOWELL, of Haverford West, relates any of the cases : I have never seen a case a case of this kind, in which eleven French of poisoning by it. The treatment consists in clearing the prisoners were poisoned by mistaking it for stomach of the poison as rapidly as possible, celery. Eight of them were strongly affectby means of emetics ; and, afterwards, ern- ed, but two only died. Indeed, numerous illploying the same remedies as in cases of stances of the poisonous influence of oenaapoisoning by narcotics, to subdue the narco- the crocata are on record. The poison, tism. Dashing cold water upon the face whatever it may be, is a fixed substance, and chest, or pouring it upon the back of as the distilled water of the plant is not the neck, has been productive of very bene- poisonous ; and from the length of time oc. ficial effects. curringbetween takingthe poison and the Another umbelliferous aquatic is equally commencement of its effects, it appears to be evolved by the digestive process, and poisonous, namely, afterwards taken into the circulation. The (ENANTHE CROCATA. post-mortem examination of the body de(Enanthe crocata, hemlock water drop- monstrates its powerful topical action ; but, wort, is a common indigenous plant, grow. besides the stomach, the membranes of the ing on the banks of ditches and in watery brain also display indications of inflammaplaces, flowering in June; it grows to the tory action. The treatment in cases of poi. height of two or three feet; the root is fleshy, soning by oenanthe croecctu is simple. It and filled with a milky-looking juice, which consists in emptying the stomach as rapidly becomes of a yellow, saffron hue, when it is as possible by means of emetics ; in subexposed to the air. The leaves are large, duing the inflammatory action, both general and supported on a dilated petiole ; they and topical, by bloodletting ; in administerare three times winged, and formed of ing, liberally, demulcents and diluents; and, deeply-incised leaflets, with obtuse divi- when the force of the primary symptoms is sions. The flowers are white, pressed one abated, in giving the vegetable acids. against the other, and supported on umbels ÆTHUSA CYNAI’IUM. composed of rays so short that the umbelÆthusa cynapium, fool’s parsley, is an in. lules appear also as if compressed upon one another; both the involucres and the digenous plant, very common in gardens, involucels are composed of linear leaflets : and found often growing amongst parsley ; the fruit, which is crowned both by the hence many accidents have resulted from persistant calyx and the styles, is ovoid and its being eaten with that plant. The root is fusiform; the stem branched, cylindrical, oblong. Every part of this plant is poisonous ; its hollow, and frequently reddish at its lower recent juice is so acrid that it excoriates the part; the plant seldom exceeds, in this skin when it is applied to it. A man who country, two feet in height. The flowers was employed by MM. CORMERIAS and are white, supported on umbels, with nnPIRAN-DUFAILLAY to crush the plant, pre- equal rays; there are no involucres; the paratory to their making an analysis of it, involucels are linear, long, lateral, and penwas attacked with irritation of the hands dent, which readily distinguishes it from and the arms, with sharp, lancinating pains, parsley ; it is also distinguished from that an eruption, swelling of the face, accelera- plant by it:; foetid odour, which adheres to tion of the pulse, and other symptoms of the fingers when the plant is bruised begreat irritation, which continued for fifteen tween them. Æthusa cynapiinn has often been eaten days. A morsel of the root, the size of a walnut, was eaten by a man, and killed him as a salad, and has frequently caused death. in two hours. The symptoms were rigors, M. LALE, a physician practising at Fontesheat in the throat and stomach, delirium, rault, has published two cases of poisoning convulsions, and coma. These symptoms by æthusa cynapium, eaten in a salad. In were accompanied with red, ecchymosed one the efl’ects were not felt until an hour patches on the face and chest, and loss of after the salad was eaten, when the patient sensibility. The effects of the poison were was attacked with vertigo, nausea, coma, not felt for some time after the root was cold sweats, and coldness of the extremities, eaten, but death ensued in four hours. RAY, which soon terminated in death. The body the botanist, has described eight cases of rapidly became covered with large ecchypoisoning by oenanthe crocala, of which five moses ; and, on opening it, the stomach preproved fatal, and Mr. WATSON has related sented signs of previous inflammation, as one which terminated in death in three was also the case with the peritoneum. The hours and a half, although the symptoms spleen was gorged with blood; the lungs did not commence for an hour and a half wen’ also tinged with blood ; and all the after the poison was swallowed. cavities of the heart were filled : the brain The herbaceous part of the plant has was not examined. In the other case, much been mistaken by the ignorant for wild of the poison was rejected by vomiting; celery, the foliage of which it somewhat but, nevertheless, chronic gastritis super. resembles. vened, and in a few weeks the patient died.
851 into six lanceolate, keeled segbody was much emaciated ; there was limb divided the filaments are subulate, adhering and intestinal of the ments ; peritoneum phlogosis canal; suppuration of the villous coat of to the upper part of the tube of the corolla, the stomach; ulcerated spots in the small and supporting yellow, erect anthers. The intestines; and scirrliotis portions in the stigmas are revolute. The
Climate and season have a considerable influence in modifying the poisonous proSCILLA MARITIMA. perties of colchicum autumnale; and, on When the Scilla maritima, squill, the this account, the most opposite opinions bulb of which isa well-known article of the of its influence have been frequently held Materia Medica, is overdosed, or, when it by different writers. HALLER says that it is is taken by some individuals, even in mode- both tasteless and inert in autumn, although rate doses, it displays poisonous propetties ; that is the period of the year when it is most but the latter efl’ect depends upon idiosyn - active in this country. KRAPF, a German crasy. VOGEL mentions a case where grs. author, says that the bulb is eaten in Carxxiv. proved fatal. I have witnessed several niola and Istria, and CRATCHWILL, another instances in which the ordinary medicinal German, states that he ate ss. of the bulb dose of the tincture, or the powder of the with impunity. M. COLLINS, also, mentions dried squill, caused very alarming symp- mo,e than one instance in which the bulb toms ; violent colic, purging, palpitation 0: had been eaten without any poisonous rethe heart, diflicult or embarrassed breath- sult. STOERCK affirms that he ate an entire ing, dilatation of the pupils, and bloody bulb with impunity. urine. In one case, which terminated faIdiosyncracy must, however, be kept in tally, an eruption, not unlike that of pur- view in explaining some of these facts. I pura hœmorrhagica appeared, attended with knew a lady who took, by mistake, f 3x. of Such the wine of the seeds of colchicum at one a considerable degree of collapse. instances, however, are rare. No cases of draught, without experiencing the smallest squill used expressly as a poisonous agent inconvenience from this extraordinary dose. are on record. Every part of the plant, the bulb, the The post-mortem examination of persons leaves, the flowers, and the seed, is poisonpoisoned by squill has displayed inflamma- ous. The influence of the bulb and the tion of the mucous membrane, and a slight- seeds, as medicinal agents, is well known ; and they have frequently proved fatal when ly gorged condition of the brain. after clearing the stomach the medicinal preparations of them have by emetics, consists in the liberal adminis- been overdosed. tration of camphor, opium, and cordials. The flowers have frequently proved fatal to cattle that have been feeding in the meaCOLCHICUM AUTUMNALE. dows containing them. GARIDEL relates Colchicum ccuturnnule has been longer the case of a man who having eaten these known as a poisonous plant than as a the- flowers as a remedy in ague, was afflicted rapeutical agent. It was the hermadacty- with severe pains of the bowels, and also lis of the ancients, and it is mentioned in general pains, which continued for three several of the writings of the old herhalists days. They possess the same medicinal as a powerful remedy for gout. Every part properties as the bulb and the seed. of the plant is poisonous, its botanical chaThe seeds have a sweetish taste, and are, racters, therefore, should be well under- consequently, attractive to children. BRENT, stood. It is an indigenous annual plant, a German author, has recorded an instance with a perennial root, and is found growing’ of two children who ate some of the seeds ; in rich meadows in Essex, Suflblk, and they vomited most violently; and one child many parts of England; and, indeed, over died. the greater part of Europe. It sends up The symptoms of poisoning by colchicum, a naked, pinkish-lilac flower in August and are violent and incessant vomiting, accomSeptember, whence its specific name. The panied with hypercatharsis of thin, bilious bulb, which is reproduced every year, is stools at first, which are followed by others solid, like a small egg, covered with a having the appearance of washings of meat; brownish coat, and indented on one side by and these are succeeded by bloody stools. the young stalk ; the leaves, which appear There are great anxiety, violent agitations, in spt’iua.’, are radial, spear-shaped, and from extreme prostration of strength, and cold ten to fourteen inches long, although only clammy perspirations, preceding the fatal five inches above the ground. The seed- issue. In some of the recorded cases, delivessel of the flower which appears in au- rium is mentioned, but I have never seen tumn, is elevated in the bosom of the leaves : any affection of the sensorium in those cases it is a three-lobed, three-celled capsule, which have come under my notice. seated on a thick, short peduncle. The The post-mortem examination of the body seeds ripen about the end of June. The has displayed redness, indicating inflammaNewer consists of a monopetalous corolla,, tion of the mucous membrane of both the with a tube of considerable length, and a stomach and the intestinal canal; this memomentum.
The treatment,
852 brane is also ed
interspersed
with dark-colour-
spots, resembling gangrene ; the brain
is
natural. Veratria. The active principle of the colchicum is veratria, a resinoid which was discovered by PELLETIER and CAVENTOU, in 1819. It has been found also in the seeds of veratrum album, and those of helonias officinalis, in all of which it exists in the state of a gallate. Veratria, when separated from the vegetable matter, and freed from the gallic acid, is colourless and pulverulent, with an acrid taste; but it is free from bitterness: it has no odour ; nevertheless it excites, when snuffed up the nostrils, the most violent, long-continued sneezing. When it is
poisoning by colchicum, or any of its preparations, or by veratria, the first object is to evacuate the stomach, and then to administer freely opium, camphor, brandy, and ammonia : but, as I have already informed you, in no instance have I seen recovery follow from any treatment. ACONITUM PANICULATE!.
Aconitum paniculatum, which has been long known as a poison, and as a medicinal agent, and is now more than ever employed, on account of the resinoid which it yields, is a poison of great power. The early period at which its poisonous influence was known, may be collected from the fables which pretend to describe its ori. gin. OviD, in describing the ascent of Herinternally administered, in large doses, it cules from hell, dragging after him the causes, first, nausea and vomiting, and then triple-headed Cerberus, says, that the rage hypercatharis, collapse, and death. In no of the dog, on being exposed to the light of instance have I seen recovery to take place. the sun, caused him to emit a froth which The habit sinks rapidly, and it cannot again impregnated the soil with this poisonous be roused, nor has any thing been able to plant. check the purging. « Has concresse putant, nactasque alimenta feracis Veratria is nearly insoluble in cold water, Fecundique soli, vires cepisse nocendi, and even in water at 212°; the quantity must Quas quia nascuntur dura vivacia cante Agrestes ACONITA vocant."" be 1000 parts of the fluid to one of veraAusoNlUs makes the growth of the blood tria ; aether takes it up sparingly; but alcohol dissolves it most readily. It has an al- of the wound of Prometheus,kaline reaction, and neutralises acids, but it " Unde Prometheo de corpore sanguineus ros does not form readily crystallised salts : it Aspergit cautes, et dura ACONITA creat cos."f is a compound of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, The name " aconituni" is, with much and nitrogen. probability, according to ANTIGONIJS CARYSVeratria, in poisonous doses, has a more THlUS, derived from Acones, a borough in decided topical action than any of the other the of Heracleum, in Ponneighbourhood narcotico-acrid poisons, inflaming violently where the plant grows in great abunthe mucous surface before it displays its tus, dance. narcotic influence. In doses of two grains The whole of the genus aconitum pos. of the acetate it kills a strong dog, causing sesses properties ; and the spevomiting and hypercatharsis, and tetanic cies A. poisonous is so powerful in its action ferox spasms before death. It has very rarely that the is employed to poison large been administered internally, on account oi tanks of plant as an engine of war, by water, its acrimony ; but M. MAGENDIE has record some of the Asiatic nations. My friend Dr. ed a case of apoplexy in an old man t(] WALLICH’s botanical knowledge saved a whom he gave it; at first to the extent only of the Bristish army from falling great part of a quarter of a grain, and afterwards, by victims to this diabolical mode of warfare, gradually augmenting the dose, to one grain in our contest with the Burmese. The army and a half, and two grains in twenty-foui of the Burmese had suddenly retreated, hours. without any particular cause, and had left In cases of poisoning by colchicum, I am the British troops to take up their quarters not aware of any means of determining tht in a advantageous situation, well supof the nature poison except by the symp pliedvery with water in tanks. In these resertoms. If veratria itself have been given by voirs, however, Dr. WALLICH perceived mistake, and any of the poison remain, H large quantities of the aconitum ferox depo. may be recognised partly by its physical and prevented the soldiers from using sited, characters, and partly by the action of nitric the water. Had the discovery not been made and sulphuric acid upon it. The former is in time to prevent the water from being first reddened, and then changed to yellow; it would have, undoubtedly, proved but the latter is first changed to yellow, then used,to fatal many of our men, and have given to to red, and, lastly, to a violet colonr: but the Burmese an easy victory over the surseveral of the other resinoids are affected vivers. by these acids in nearly the same manner, The properties of aconite were consequently the result of their action is of so wellpoisonous known to the ancients, that the term no value, unless in combination with the
symptoms. With regard to the treatment of
’
cases
01
MetMnorph., b, vii., v. 411. t Idyl. xii., v. 78.
823 aconite
was
nation of "
employed
as a
general desig-
poisons:
-
Fictilibus."
nulla aconitd bibuntur JUVENAL.
It was the juice of aconite which formed the poison-cup presented to old men in Ceos, when they were no longer useful to the state. According to THEOPHRASTUS, also, it was a chief ingredient in the slow poison of the ancients, which operated in a determinate time. It was even in latter times be-
lieved that simply handling the plant was dangerous. A young Swiss danced with his affianced a whole evening, holding a bunch of aconite flowers in his hand : both died at the termination of a few hours. But HAL1,ER doubts this poisoning power of aconite by simple contact, as he amrms that he has seen the flocks reposing quietly in the Alps amidst tufts of aconite. When eaten, however, it is poisonous to many quadrupeds :
were to be pardoned if they survived, says, that one of them took 3j. of the powdered root, and repeated the dose
criminals who
after an interval of an hour and a half. Three hours afterwards he became languid, and was attacked with fainting, vomiting, and convulsive movements of the eyes, the mouth, and the neck, symptoms which were followed by coma and death. Every part of the plant is poisonous, but the root posWhen the sesses the greatest virulence. expressed juice of the recent plant is inspissated at a low temperature, the extract possesses the poisonous properties of the plant in an eminent degree; but the alcoholic resinous extract made from the dried plant is more poisonous than the aqueous extract made from the decoction of the dried plant. This is easily understood, as we know that the active principle is a resinoid which can be easily separated by alcohol. PALLAS mentions that five persons were killed by drinking a spirituous infusion of the plant, which they mistook for lovage : other cases of a similar kind are on record.
English name, wolfsbane, is explanatory of its known poisonous properties to wolves. Some unjustifiable experiments were made with aconite upon condemned criminals at Prague by the order of the emperor FERDIAconitinti. NAND the First; and also at Rome, by MAAconitinci, the name of this resinoid, is in THIOLUS, acting under the authority of Pope CLEMENT the Seventh, in order to determine the form of granular crystals, inodorous, its poisonous properties on man, of which with a bitter taste, which, however, is supthey left no doubt. posed to depend on another salt with which it is, more or less, always combined, namely, The aconites belong to the natural order anemenina. Aconitina is soluble in 150 nauuTacliluceccthey are readily distinguish- parts of cold, and 50 of boiling water; alcoed as plants by the petaloid character of hol and aether dissolve it readily. It is dethe irregular calyx, which is formed of six composed by heat, which is the cause of unequal sepals, the superior and largest of the variable character of extracts of the which is in the shape of a helmet or a plant prepared for medicinal use. It has an monkshood ; thence another English appel- alkaline reaction, and forms salts with weak lation of the plant, namely, monkshood; the acids. In many of its properties it closely two lateral sepals are flat, and unequally resembles delphia. When aconite is taken internally it does rounded ; the two inferior are small, oval, aud entire. The corolla, also, is singular in not immediately display its poisonous its form, being composed of two petals, powers. After an hour or more it causes which are concealed under the hood of the a burning heat in the stomach, ascending to calyx, and which have some resemblance to the fauces, thirst, swelling of the abdomen, tlze;ornament usually displayed on the cro- vomiting, the most severe colic, with purgsiers of the Catholic bishops. The species ing, vertigo, headach, a fixed stare of the are of various shades of blue and yellow, eyes, a small quick pulse, hurried respiraand some of them are nearly white. tion, trembling, cold clammy perspiration, The fresh plant, like most of the natural and death. These’symptoms demonstrate, order to which it belongs, irritates and strikingly, both the acrimony and the narcoblisters the skin when rubbed upon it, and tic power of the poison. The post-mortem examination of the body when a small portion of it is chewed it causes a sensation of burning heat and pain, displays redness of the stomach and of the which extends to the pharynx, and inflames small intestines ; the gullet and the rectum the parts. This was experienced both by also exhibit indications of innammatory Sir BEN. BRODIE, by Dr. CIIRISTISON, and action ; the lungs are gorged, as are also the by myself; and, in some of the cases on cerebral vessels. Little satisfactory can be said respecting record, the earliest symptom is stated to be a tingling in the jaws, which extends over the treatment of poisoning by aconite; and the body. Two or three drachms of the one of the greatest obstacles in the way of plant are sufficient to poison a strong man. affording relief arises from the symptoms of WILLIS mentions a case which proved fatal, poisoning not appearing until the digestion in which the chief symptom was maniacal of the substance, and the absorption of the delirium. MATHIOLUS, also, in recording resinoid into the system. Still, however, the results of his experiments on condemnedfrom seeing the topical effect of the poison,
its
854 the necessity of clearing the stomach is I need not inform you that the ergot is evident. The after-treatment is indicated now much used in promoting the action of by the symptoms; topical bloodletting totlze uterus in parturition ; and, as it has sttbdue the inflammation, and the usual been erroneously supposed to operate in treatment of cases of narcotic poisoningcausing uterine action, it has been employed afterwards, with a liberal use of acidulated in every period of pregnancy to produce demulcents. Opiate frictions have been criminal abortion, and has caused poisonous found to prove beneficial. symptoms, in these cases, of the most alarm. The ancients regarded rue as the antidote ing kind, which, in some instances, have of aconite. We are told that after the tyrant terminated fatally. In a case to which I CLEARCHUs had poisoned many persons with was called, where the object was to expel it, the inabitants of Heracleum never went a blighted foetus, fever was induced, with out of their houses without having eaten flushed face, a rending sensation of the head, rue. Modern experience has not confirmed and the other symptoms which I have de. scribed as cliaracterising its poisonous in. the virtues of rue. fluence. The means taken to relieve this !
SECALE CORNUTVM.
The secale cornutum, or ergot, is a parasitic plant, which is now known under the name acinula claris. This plant, growing upon rye, and some other grains, produces a diseased condition of the grain, by which it is elongated to twice its ordinary length, is curved, somewhat angiilar, and of a dark violet-brown colour. Analysis has thrown
patient were topical bloodletting, pnrging,
and saline medicines ; but, although this case recovered, yet, as I have seen no other in. stance of poisoning by the ergot, I cannot affirm that such a plan of treatment is the best adapted to save a patient who has been
poisoned by ergot. NUX VOMICA.
Nux zorrcicct is the seed of a species of upon the nature of ergot, and an obstacle stands in the way of a correct strychnos. In common with the greater analysis of this substance, namely, the dif- number of the species of the genus, it pos. ficulty of separating it from the diseased sesses powerful acro-narcotic properties, which depend on two alkaloids, easily sepagrain. Long before this diseased rye was em- rated, namely, strychnia and brucine. The ployed as a medicinal agent, its deleterious seed of the strychnos, nux vomica, is round agency had been severely felt, on more than and flat, slightly convex upon one side and one occasion, in the north of Europe, and in concave on the other, nearly an inch in dia some of the French provinces where rye is meter, and about three-tenths of an inch very generally used in making bread. The thick. It is of a greyish colour, and covermost tremendous of the enidemics which it ed with a short, silky down. The interior caused occurred in the north of Germany in of the seed, which is a dicotyledon, is of a 1770. The symptoms which characterised horny consistence, white, semitransparent, the disease produced by the use of the dis- or nearly so, acrid, and very bitter to the eased rye, were cramps of the limbs, accom- taste, with an odour not unlike that of lipanied with excruciating pains and formi- quorice. Nitric acid colours it orange cation ; the thorax, also, suffered from yellow; and the same colour, but redder, is pain, convulsions supervened, and an erup- communicated by the powder of the nux tion of livid spots broke out over the body. vomica soaked in alcohol. These symptoms were intermitted. In the Some animals, hogs and goats for examintervals, the pulse was natural, the appetite ple, feed on nux vomica with impunity. It voracious, and the excretions regular. In I has also very little influence on poultry. some other instances in which the disease M. DESPARTES fed a hen with it until gr. 60 was also epidemic the symptoms were those were taken for a dose, yet no bad effects reof extreme debility, numbness (occasionally sulted ; but when the dose was extended to of complete insensibility) of the extremities, 120 grains, it caused rigidity of the limbs, and great distention of the crop, gangrene of the toes and legs, and dropping off of the joints, the cases terminating but still the fowl survived. On the tweneither in death or fatuity. In these cases tieth day of the experiment gr. iv. of the it affected equally quadrupeds and man. It extract were given, and in three hours afteris remarkable, however, that those animals wards gr. 160 of the powdered seed: the on whom poisons usually operate nearly in animal died in a state of tetanic rigidity. the same manner as upon man, namely, dogs Many animals, on the contrary, are rapidly and cats, suffer least from the influence of poisoned by nux vomica ; rats, cats, foxes, and dogs soffer. When dogs swallow from ergot. The symptoms produced by ergot, when gr. xx. to gr. xxx. of tlia powder, they are it has been overdosed, and not baked in quickly attacked with all the symptoms of bread, are flushing of the face, vertigo, tetanus, namely, twitchings, and sudden violent headach, pain and cramp of the extension of the limbs,-tremors, convulsive stomach; nausea, vomiting, purging, and a movements of the face and eyelids ; fixed. ness of the eyes; spastic rigidity of all the sensation of extreme languor. no
light
purging,
855 and involuntary emission of urine. While life continues these symptoms reoccur on the slightest touch, or even noise; nevertheless, the mind, if I may so express myself, seems to remain entire to the last. The same effects occur if the extract be applied to a wound, or a solution of it injected into the pleura. Dr. CHRISTISON says, " I have seen a dog die in two minutes after the injection of 1-Gth of a grain into the pleura." It produces no effect when it is applied to the sound skin. M. DELILE wounded a dog in the thigh with a piece of wood smeared with the extract of nux vomica; the quantity of the extract was only gr.jss., yet it caused tetanic convulsions, and proved fatal in five minutes after the first paroxysm. The influence of nux vomica is equally severe on man. It has too often been used as a poisonous agent by the suicide, of which many cases might be cited, but I shall refer to two only, because they are well authenticated, and the symptoms which attended them were well marked.
muscles,
ened ; the legs pushed out and forced wide
apart. I could not perceive either pulse or respiration ; the face and hands were livid, the muscles of the former, especially of the lips, violently agitated, and she made constantty a moaning, chattering noise. I thought she was not unlike one in an epileptic fit, but that she did not struggle, though she was forced straight out : it became difficult to keep her from falling on the floor. " In the short intervals of these attacks she was quite sensible, was tormented with incessant thirst, perspired, had a quick and faint pulse, complained of being very sick, made many attempts to vomit, and, when requested, put her finger into her throat with a view of exciting it. To the question whether she was in pain? she replied,No, no,
no.’
" A fourth and
more
vehement attack
in which the whole body extended to the utmost: she was rigidly stiff from head to foot, insomuch that, with all the force I could exert, I could not bend the pelvis on the thighs to replace her The first is one detailed by Mr. OLLIER, in her seat. From this time she never r°eco. surgeon to the Western Dispensary.* An vered, but fell into a state of asphyxia, and hour had passed before lllr. 0. saw the never breathed again. She now loosened woman; he found her sitting at the fire nn- her grasp ; her discoloured hands dropped disturbed, the pulse at 80, and regular. She upon her knees ; her face, too, was livid ; had taken half an ounce of the poison : in the brows contracted ; the lips wide apart, the whole of the closed teeth, and about ten minutes after the time Mr. 0. saw her she was still quite free from pain, but a salivary foam issued plentifully from the she seemed alarmed. " She had thrown her- corners of her mouth. The expression of self back in her chair, and her legs were the whole countenance was at this moment extended and considerably separated. She frightful. In lifting her up to lay her in requested the landlord of the house, who at bed we discovered that the urine had been that moment came into the room, to leave it discharged. This took place in little more immediately. A perspiration had broken than half an hour after I first saw her, about out on her skin, her pulse had become faint a quarter before three in the morning. and quick, and she called frequently for " At about eigh1.o’elock, when I saw her drink. I mixed two drachms of pulvis again, she was still as straight and stiff as a ipecacuanhæ in a tea-cupful of warm water, statue. If you lifted one of her hands the of which I gave her about one-fourth every whole body moved with it, but the face had five minutes, and of which I got down four become pale in comparison, and its expresdoses, the last with great difficulty. She sion more placid. The side which lay next had, also, warm water at intervals, to still the bed was not yet cold; she had not, howher repeated calls for drink; but of this she ever, been then undressed." was not permitted to swallow much, nor inIn another case, recorded by Dr. TACHEdeed did she seem inclined to do so when it RON, of Paris, which recovered, the intelwas at her lips. lectual faculties appeared to be a little " Before I was prepared," says Mr. OL- troubled, andthe woman wept occasionally, LiER, " to give her the first dose of her me- and on the second day she experienced a dicine, she had a slight and transient con- loss of sight for two hours. The thirst in vulsion. On recovering from it she was in this case, also, was very urgent. great trepidation, kept fast hold of her liusFrom the consideration of these, and other band, and refused to let him go, even for the alleged purpose of getting her drink. In cases on record the following mav be stated a few minutes afterwards she had another and as the symptoms of poisoning nux vomore violent attack, and shortly afterwards mica:— 1. A feeling of dread suddenly coming on another. I should estimate the duration of these fits at from a minute and a half to two about half an hour or an hour after the dose minutes. In them she retained her grasp ; of the poison has been taken; tremor, folher whole body was straightened and stiff. lowed by stupor, and a sensation of intoxsoon was
followed,
showing
by
* Med.
Rep. vol. xix.,
p. 448.
ication, quickly followed by general symp. toms of tetanus, namely, violent twitchings
856 in the legs and the arms, stiffness of the I that the nerves of sensation are also influ. muscles of the neck, trismus, severe pain enced. under the ensiform cartilage, laborious From the time which passes between takbreathing. ing the poison, and its effects displaying 2. The pulse is, at first, full and hard, but themselves, it is supposed that absorption not much accelerated; by degrees it be- takes place, and that the active principle is comes quick and feeble. These symptoms conveyed to the spinal chord ; but, although recur at intervals, during which the sensibi- this appears very plausible, yet it is by no lity of the body is so great that the motion means demonstrated. Thus, in the first of the air becomes a source of uneasiness, place, the nux vomica must undergo diges. and the smallest touch renews the tetanic tion before the active principle, the strychconvulsions. In these intervals the mind is nia, can be sufficiently separated to affect perfectly entire ; but sometimes there is the nerves of the stomach : on the other much confusion of thought, and some degree hand, when strychnia alone is given, some of delirium, a circumstance which distin- time also elapses before it begins to operate. guishes poisoning by nux vomica from poi- It must, however, be recollected, that soning by strychnia, which is its active prin- strychnia is of very diflicult solution, and ciple, in a separate state. Copious sweating requires the aid of an acid. When it is often attends these intervals. given in combination with an acid, the effect 3. The paroxysms increase in force, and is very rapid. In one case, in which an recur at shorter intervals; the spastic rigi- overdose of the acetate of stryehnia was addity increases; occasionally opisthotonos ministered, a few seconds only intervened displays itself, and death takes place in the between takingthe poison and the appearparoxysm. The cause of death is evidently ance of its effects. Again, when the infinthe prolonged spastic striction of the thora- ence of the poison has already displayed cic muscles of respiration: the diaphragm itself, an emetic will arrest the progress of is, also, in the same state; hence it is im- the symptoms, which would not be the case possible for the function of respiration to had absorption taken place, and did the proceed, and the animal dies from suffo- spmptoms wholly depend on the application cation. of the active principle to the spinal nerves. During the paroxysm the muscles of the From these facts, and from its influence on chest seem as hard as a stone, and the body reptiles, when it is introduced into wounds, retains, for many hours, the rigid state in I am induced to believe that it acts indepen, which death took place. dently of absorption. My opinion of its acting purely through In the post-mortem examination of the the nerves is further confirmed by the fact, body, the stomach occasionally, but not that many agents employed in medicine have always, displays symptoms of inflammation their influence directed to different parts of having been produced. In a case detailed the system, and act on these independently in HUFELAND’S Journal this was very strik- of absorption; thus, a poultice of rhubarb ing, but in Ml’. OLLIER’S case, and in all the purges, although no absorption takes place. The spinal column is the site of the irritainstances of dogs that iiave been poisoned with it, which I have examined, there was tive influence of nux vomica; if a portion of no redness of the stomach, nor of any por- the column be removed, no effect follows the administration or the application of either tion of the intestinal canal. The lungs are generally gorged with nux vomica or of strychnia; and FODERE black blood, and black fluid blood is found found that when the spinal chord is exposed ’ in an animal to whom strychnia is given, the in the arterial cavities of the heart. The vessels of the brain are usually con- convulsions can be arrested by pressure on gested. In a case related by ORFILA and the anterior segment of the chord. The correctness of this opinion is not a OLLivmn, there was serous effusion on the surface of the cerebellum, and a general matter of mere physiological speculation, softening of its cortical part; indeed, from but of practical importance ; for, if we can the effects of the poison, we are prepared to ascertain that no absorption takes place, our find that the cerebellum is affected. endeavours to remove the poison, or to neuOne appearance is invariably present, viz., tralise and destroy its energy, should not be a general contraction of the whole arterial limited to any period of its operation. system, and a consequent gorged condition of the veins. I have often seen the aorta in Strychnia and Brucia.-St. Ignatius’ Bean. I have already stated that nux vomica dogs reduced to the size of a crow-quill. owes its poisonous properties to the alkaline There is a diversity of opinion respect- substances, namely, strychnia and brucia, ingthe manner in which nux vomica ope- which are generally found mixed together in rates, but there can be no doubt that its in- the usual specimens of strychnia. fluence is exerted powerfully on the motor Strychnia is, when pure, colourless, inodotract of the spinal chord : the great sen- rous, and crystallised in four-sided prisms, sibility, however, of surface demonstrates terminated by a pyramid. It is so intensely
857 bitterness to the animal economy than nux vomica. The as to communicate 600,000 times its weight of water. It re- only case of human poisoning by it that I quires 6000 parts of water at 60°, and 2300 am aware of is one quoted in CHRISTISON’S at 212°, for its solution. It is insoluble in work, detailed by Dr. HOFF. Half a bean bitter
I
absolute alcohol and in asther, but it dis- was taken in brandy ; tetanic symptoms folsolves in diluted alcohol. It has an alka- lowed, but the man recovered. line reaction, and neutralises acids. It is a compound of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. I am not aware of any chemical test for it, in its pure state, except LECTURE S that it imparts a red-wine colour to iodic ON acid, yet iodine is not set free. Brucicc is less crystallisable than strychMATERIA MEDICA AND nia. It is more soluble in water, requiring THERAPEUTICS, only 850 parts at 600, and 500 at 212°, for its solution. With nitric acid it acquires a NOW IN COURSE OF DELIVERY blood-red colour, which passes into yellow ; AT THE and the addition of protochloride of tin produces a beautiful violet tint. WINDMILL-STREET SCHOOL OFMEDICINE. Both of these alkaloids operate in the BY same manner as nux vomica, but the strychiiia with much more violence, and its influGEORGE G. SIGMOND, M.D. This ence on the surface is more striking. was well illustrated in some experiments LECTURE XXVIII. which I made with it upon a snake, and some other reptiles.* Nux Voauen (concluded):—Its action on the nervous system. The functions of that sysIn cases of poisoning by nux vomica, tem. The therapeutic measures which they when the object is suicide, it is generally indicated. Influence of nux vomica on the taken in the state of powder, with the apanterior spinal nerves. Its effect on a dog. pearance of which we should be acquainted ; Intoxication from it. Its efect ort cases of the taste is bitter, and it acquires an orangeElectric state induced by it. paralysis. red colour, with nitric acid. the alcoholic extract and the of Preparation The effects of these re-agents are the same tincture. Best form for its administration. in the decoction, which is intensely bitter. Objections to the use of strychnia. Its rnere Infusion of galls precipitates it grayish. poisonous. Alleged antidotes. Its effluvium Ammoniacal sulphate of copper gives the trial in hydrophobia. Employment of nux decoction a green colour. The orange-red t’omica in Paris. Diseases in which it has produced by nitric acid is owing to the brucia succeeded. Cctses in which its use ivould be contained in conjunction with the strychnia injudicious. Incontinence of urine in chilin the nux vomica : the green colour is owing dren. Prolupsus of the mucous membrane to the igasuric acid, which is combined the rectum. Use of nux vomica as afeof with the brucia and the strychnia to render brifuge. Physicians who recommend nux them soluble. vomica. Enormous doses used. Probable The same result as with ammoniacal snlirnpurity of the drua. Poisoning by overphate of copper, takes place with infusion doses. Use of eau de Cologne as att antiof arnica montanum, an overdose of which dote. Testfor the purity of strychnia. causes symptoms closely resembling those of nux vomica ; and although nitric acid GENTLEMEN:—The narcotics which have causes no reddening in the infusion, yet this been the subject of my previous lectures is no proof that it does not contain strychnia, almost entirely exert their agency upon the as this alkaloid, when pure, causes no red- brain, and the nervous system which is deness with nitric acid. pendant on it. This is proved by their effects upon the mental powers; but the Before proceeding to notice the treatment, therapeutic agents which are to be found in let us examine the other substances which the strychnine family are more particularly produce poisoning in the same manner as distinguished by their influence upon the nux vomica, and evidently from the same medullary chord. I cannot, of course, enter much on the subject of the views entertaincause. The first of these is the ST.IGNATIUs’ bean, ed by the greatest physiologists of our time the seed of the strychnia sancti IgvinGii. relative to the nervous system; but, in orNitric acid acts on the powder of this seed der that you should fully understand the more powerfully than on that of nux vomica, mode of action of the nux vomica, and of as it contains more brucia than nux vomica. the alkali which is obtained from it, from It is, also, more energetic in its action on the bean of St. IGNATIUS, from the upas tieute, aud from other vegetables of the . same class, I must make some observations Elements of Mat. Med., &c. p. 180, note.