[218]. The introduction of poisons into the body through the medium of the circulation of the blood is frequently alluded to by the physiologists of the seventeenth century. I have lately met with a curious passage in a work entitled “Popular Errours in Physick, first written in Latine by the learned physitian, James Penrose, Doctor in Physick. London, 1651.” “The venome is carried by the veines and arteries, as appeares in that all the blood of them that have been bitten by a viper doth turne into a pale greennesse. And seeing that the veines in the papps are so very slender, and doe not come unto the heart, but with a great many long windings, I affirme, and it is more probable, that if the viper be applyed to the feet, which are farthest remote from the heart, it will sooner infect the heart than if to the papps, but soonest of all if it be applied to the armes. And now the story of Cleopatra comes to my minde. Petrus Victorius blames the painters, that paint Cleopatra applying the aspe to her papps, seeing it is manifest out of Plutarch in the life of Antonius, and out of Plinie likewise, that she applyed it to her arme. Zonaras relates that there appeared no signe of death upon her, save two blew spots on her arme. Cæsar also in her statue which he carryed in triumph, applyed the aspe to her arme; for in the armes there are great veines and arteries, which doe quickly, and in a straight way convey the venome to the heart, whereas in the papps the vessels are slender. And therefore in Saint Paul the miracle was so much the greater, in that he felt no harme from the viper, which layd hold on his hand, for if it had assailed him on the breast, he had had respite enough to take some antidote.”
[219]. There can be no doubt but that death has been produced by the mechanical operation of various insoluble bodies; although we cannot believe the numerous tales recorded on the subject of diamond dust (supposed to constitute the basis of the celebrated “Powder of Succession”) or of powdered glass, &c. Numerous cases are recorded where life has been destroyed by the lodgement of substances in the intestines; and we have lately heard of the fatal effects produced by alvine accumulations from the habitual use of Magnesia. With respect to the danger from the ingestion of glass and enamel in powder, there still exists much difference of opinion; Caldani, Mandruzzato, and M. Le Sauvage, report experiments made upon men and animals, in which no bad consequences followed; on the other hand, Schurigius (Chylologia) and Cardanus (De Venenis) cite instances where persons have died of ulcerations of the stomach from such causes; and M. Portal, Foderé, (Medicine Legale) Plouquet (Comment. super Homicid.) Stoll, (Ratio Medendi, part vi. p. 60) Gmelin (Hist. General de Ven. mineral.) Frank (Man. de Toxicol.) furnish testimony in support of the opinion which assigns to such bodies a highly deleterious action.
[220]. This mark denotes that the substance, against which it is placed, may also act by being absorbed.
[221]. Signifies that the article has also a local action.
[222]. See “Experiments and Operations on the Different Modes in which Death is produced by certain Vegetable Poisons.” By B. C. Brodie, Esq. F. R. S. in the 181st Volume of the Philosophical Transactions for the year 1811.
[223]. M. ’Lallemand has published the history of a fœtus, in which the brain and spinal marrow were equally deficient, notwithstanding which, it even exceeded the usual size, the heart was also perfect, and it was evident that the circulation had been properly performed. No sooner however was the monster born than it perished, because the diaphragm and other muscles of respiration were unable to perform their functions without the aid of nervous excitement; no air was therefore inhaled into the lungs, and in a few minutes the heart ceased to contract from the deficient supply of oxygenized blood. See Medical Jurisprudence, Vol. ii. “On the Physiological Causes, and Phœnomena of Sudden Death.”
[224]. It is a very curious fact, that the Oil of Tobacco should differ so essentially in its physiological action from the Infusion of that vegetable poison; the former we have stated, affects the brain only, the latter we now learn, when taken into the alimentary canal, suspends the action of the heart. This apparent anomaly at first led Mr. Brodie, as he has since informed me, to suspect the accuracy of his experiments: and I suggested to him, whether a probable explanation might not be derived from the late chemical researches into the composition of tobacco, which have shewn the existence of two active principles, viz. Nicotin, and an Essential Oil? Where an infusion is employed, we seem to obtain the influence of the former, and the effects are displayed upon the heart; but where the oil is applied, the Nicotin has been removed, and the brain is the organ principally affected—see Tabaci Folia.
[225]. Dry Vomit of Marriott. This once celebrated vomit, called Dry, from its being exhibited without drink, consisted of equal proportions of Tartarized Antimony and Sulphate of Copper.
[226]. Sydenham relates a case of poisoning by Corrosive Sublimate; which was successfully treated by copious draughts of water, and repeated vomiting (Opera Medica, Epist. 1, p. 200); and Orfila, in his laborious work on poisons, presents us with a mass of satisfactory evidence upon the same subject.
[227]. Circumstances, however, may occur, which will render it even judicious, with certain precautions, to administer a solvent, in order to remove the particles of the substance, which sometimes adhere with such obstinacy to the coats of the stomach as to defy the exertions of an emetic to detach them, especially if the poison be arsenic; but let the practitioner remember that this practice can never be allowed until all that can be ejected by vomiting or purging has been previously removed; then perhaps the ingestion of Magnesia, or an Alkaline Salt, as proposed by Mr. Marshall, might be admissible, but it should be quickly followed up by fresh emetics and purgatives.