EDITORIAL.
POISONING BY TINCTURE OF ACONITE.
The characteristic symptoms produced by poisoning with aconite, are a peculiar numb tingling sensation produced in the tongue and lips, a sensation in the throat, as if the palate were enlarged and elongated, and resting upon the root of the tongue, irritability of the stomach, a numb creeping or tingling sensation felt in the limbs, or over the whole surface, and depressed action of the heart, and consequent prostration and coldness of the extremities. Death when it occurs, seems to depend on the depressing effect produced upon the heart. From this it would seem that the proper treatment would be, 1st, to promote the evacuation of the poison by mild means. 2nd, to maintain the circulation, by keeping the patient as quiet as possible in a horizontal posture, by the application of sinapisms and external warmth to the extremities, and by the administration of stimulants by the mouth or when they cannot be retained, by the rectum, and 3d, to control, if possible, the vomiting.
Pereira states that aconite, when dropped in the eye, or when taken internally in poisonous doses, produces contraction of the pupils, and that with the exception of opium, it is the only article which does so. In the above case, and in one other, which was likewise seen by the writer, the pupils were dilated, and the same condition was observed in several cases which have been communicated to him.
The above case is note-worthy from the great severity of the symptoms endangering the patients life, which followed the administration of a single tea-spoonful of the poison. It must have been absorbed too, with great promptness, since the vomiting, which took place in five minutes afforded no relief. This probably depended on the stomach being empty at the time. Much of the difference observed in the effects produced by the same dose, too, doubtless depends on the variation of the strength of the tincture, caused either by the employment of different formulæ in its preparation, or by the occasional use of decayed and inferior roots in making it.
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SPURIOUS SULPHATE OF QUININE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK JOURNAL OF PHARMACY:—
Dear Sir,—I would direct the attention of druggists and apothecaries to an article sold in New York, purporting to be quinine, put up so as to resemble the French.
It has somewhat the appearance of that article, but upon examination will be found to be totally devoid of bitterness, &c. I should suppose it to be mannite.
I am led to believe that 500 ounces have already been shipped to the West, and some has been sold in this vicinity.
I hope that your numerous subscribers may profit by this hint, and that the parties selling the same as quinine, may be frustrated in their nefarious traffic.
Your obedient servant, R. J. D.
BROOKLYN, May 28, 1852.
MAGANESE.
OUR EXCHANGES.
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