SALTS OF COPPER.
Poisoning with the salts of copper is of comparatively rare occurrence; when it happens, it is generally the result of accident. The metal itself is not poisonous, but the action of the gastric juice may produce a very deleterious salt. Copper coins, when swallowed, sometimes on this account prove mischievous; though usually any ill effects which ensue are due to their mechanical action. Salts of copper have been accidentally introduced into the system by means of food which has been cooked in copper saucers. The most important substances of this class to the toxicologist are the following:
Sulphate of Copper (Blue Vitriol).—Blue-stone is met with in large crystals, which are very soluble in water and possess an acrid metallic taste. In doses of half an ounce it acts as a powerful irritant. It has been administered to procure abortion. In the case of a child sixteen months old, who sucked some pieces of blue-stone with which she was playing, death occurred in four hours.
Subacetate of Copper (Verdigris).—This preparation is met with in masses, or in the form of a greenish powder. It possesses a powerful astringent metallic taste. It is often produced by allowing substances to stand in coppers. It has proved fatal in half ounce doses.
Arsenite of Copper (Mineral Green).—The effects of this salt have been already referred to.
Symptoms.—Pain in the epigastrium, gradually extending over the abdomen, violent vomiting—the vomited matters being of a blue or green color—and diarrhœa, are the symptoms which set in the most speedily. Then there is usually dyspnœa, great depression, coldness of the extremities, headache with giddiness, and slight tetanic convulsions. Sometimes there is suppression of urine. Jaundice very frequently occurs—a symptom the more important, as it is rarely met with in most other forms of poisoning. Occasionally stupor, coma, and paralysis supervene. Should death ensue, it may occur within a few hours, or not for several days.
The salts of copper taken in very small doses, for several days, give rise to a metallic taste in the mouth, thirst, debility, cramps and colicky pains, with symptoms of dysentery. In some instances there has been found retraction of the gums with the formation of a purple line, very distinct from the blue mark due to lead.
Post-mortem Appearances.—Evidences of inflammation are usually found in the stomach and intestines, the mucous membrane being often ulcerated and of a blue-green color. Particles of the poison may sometimes be found adhering to the coats of the bowel. Perforation of the intestines has occurred.
Treatment.—Vomiting sets in spontaneously, and is to be encouraged by the use of warm water. The stomach pump will rarely be needed. The only effectual antidote is albumen. The whites and yolks of several eggs should therefore be given, followed immediately by milk or mucilaginous drinks.
Tests.—Solutions of the sulphate and nitrate of copper are blue; the chloride is green. The salts of copper may be thus identified:
1. A polished knife or needle introduced into the solution is soon covered with a coating of copper.
2. Ammonia produces with a salt of copper a bluish precipitate, readily soluble in excess of ammonia, and forming a splendid blue solution.
3. Ferrocyanide of potassium gives a claret-colored gelatinous precipitate, if the copper be abundant; otherwise the deposit is of a light brown.
4. Sulphuretted hydrogen gas yields a deep-brown precipitate.
5. A few drops of the copper solution are to be placed on platinum foil, and slightly acidulated; on touching the foil, through the solution, with a strip of zinc, metallic copper is deposited on the patinum.
[CHAPTER XX.]
SPECIFIC VEGETABLE IRRITANTS.
Laburnum (Cytisus laburnum).—Every portion of this plant is poisonous. The seeds are frequently eaten by children, and give rise to vomiting and purging, with dilatation of the pupils, rigors, rigid limbs, &c.
Œnanthe crocata, Phellandrinum aquaticum, Æthusa Cynapium, &c., strictly speaking, belong to this group.
Black Hellebore (Helleborus niger) or Christmas Rose, grows in shady woods, and bears a large flower in January. The leaves and root when eaten give rise to abdominal pain, vomiting and purging, vertigo, cold sweats, and collapse, resembling that of malignant cholera. An infusion of this plant is sometimes administered by quacks to destroy intestinal worms. It has proved fatal to children under these circumstances.
Several other substances variously grouped for the sake of convenience should come under this heading.
[CHAPTER XXI.]
SPECIFIC ANIMAL IRRITANTS.
Cantharides (Spanish Flies).
This poison is well known, and is usually administered in the form of powder or tincture. Of the former, twenty-four grains have destroyed life; of the latter, one ounce. This poison has been employed as an aphrodisiac and to induce abortion, by persons ignorant of its dangerous effects. This is, perhaps, the most frequent cause of poisoning by cantharides. Applied externally it has proved fatal, as in the case of a girl affected with scabies, who anointed the whole of her body with cantharides ointment in mistake for that of sulphur. She died in five days, after suffering from the symptoms of poisoning by cantharides.
It produces an acrid taste, vomiting, purging, burning heat in the stomach, pain in the loins, severe strangury, bloody urine, and priapism. Then there is faintness with giddiness, the limbs become rigid, and delirium with convulsions precede death. Sometimes the matters ejected from the stomach or passed in the stools contain shining golden or green particles, the remains of the wing cases of the beetles, which constitute the drug, readily seen with a lens, or even with the naked eye.
After death, marks of inflammation are found in the alimentary canal, kidneys and bladder, and the genital organs.
Tests.—The detection of Spanish flies, if taken solid, depends mainly on the presence of the shining particles already alluded to, in the stomach, or in the vomited matters. To make their nature certain, however, an extract of the suspected materials should be prepared and treated repeatedly with chloroform or ether. This fluid is to be allowed to evaporate till only a few drops are left, which may be applied on lint to some portion of the body where the skin is fine, as the fore arm, the part being covered by a bit of isinglass plaster, or goldbeaters’ skin. The vesication produced is the test of the presence of cantharides.
No antidote is known. Vomiting must be excited or encouraged; and linseed tea, and gum water, or gruel copiously administered. The warm bath will afford great relief. Oil must be avoided, on account of its being a solvent of the active principle (cantharidine) of this poison.