§ 845. When taken internally, the symptoms are scarcely different from those produced by corrosive sublimate. It seems an unlikely vehicle for criminal poisoning, yet, in the case of Reg. v. E. Smith (Leicester Summer Assizes, 1857), a girl was proved to have put a solution of nitrate of mercury in some chamomile tea, which had been prescribed for the prosecutrix. The nauseous taste prevented a fatal dose being taken; but the symptoms were serious.
§ 846. Mercuric Cyanide acts in a manner very similar to that of corrosive sublimate, 1·3 grm. (about 20 grains) in one case,[928] and in another[929] half the quantity, having destroyed life.
[928] Orfila, i. p. 735.
[929] Christison, p. 427.
§ 847. White Precipitate (ammoniated mercury), as a poison, is weak. Out of fourteen cases collected by Taylor, two only proved fatal; one of these formed the subject of a trial for murder, Reg. v. Moore (Lewes Lent Assizes, 1860). The effects produced are vomiting, purging, &c., as in corrosive sublimate.[930] Other preparations of mercury, such as the red iodide, the persulphide, and even calomel,[931] have all a more or less intense poisonous action, and have caused serious symptoms and death.
[930] See Dr. Th. Stevenson, “Poisoning by White Precipitate,” Guy’s Hospital Reports, vol. xix. p. 415.