[398]. An infusion of horse-radish is a very ancient remedy in disorders of the stomach. In Paulus Ægineta we shall find a letter written by Carytius Antigonus, in which it is highly recommended for such a purpose.
[399]. The chemist may satisfy himself of this fact by heating some arsenious acid on a piece of platinum foil, and alternately raising and depressing it into the blue flame of the spirit, when corresponding changes in odour will take place.
[400]. It will probably afford a satisfactory explanation of the circumstance mentioned by Dr. Percival, that the workmen who solder silver filligree with an arsenical alloy, are never affected by the fumes. Dr. Percival does not appear to have been in the least aware of the probable reason of this fact; he says, “This solder is melted by the flame of a lamp directed by a blow-pipe; the greatest part of the arsenic is evaporated by the blast and flame, and some part also of the rest of the solder, and yet the men appear to enjoy as good health, and to live as long as other artists! Amongst other examples of the truth of this observation, I lately saw in the manufactory at the Soho at Birmingham, a man of more than fifty years of age, who had soldered silver filligree for thirty-five years, and had regularly, during that period, passed from eight to ten hours daily in his occupation, and yet he was fat, strong, active, cheerful, and of a complexion by no means sickly; neither he nor his brother artists use any means to counteract the effect of their trade.” Dr. Rotheram, in a letter to Dr. Percival, comments upon this fact, and says, “how far the fluxes used in soldering the filligree may fix the parts of the arsenic, or from what cause these workmen might escape, I dare not say, but I should notwithstanding strongly suspect the fumes of this very volatile and caustic mineral to be very prejudicial.”—I have shewn above that arsenious acid is readily decomposed when heated in contact with an oxidable metal, and I apprehend that this fact will explain the reason why the fumes of the alloy in question are disarmed of their virulence.
[401]. In my work on Medical Jurisprudence, (Vol. ii. p. 216) the reader will find a very full account of the symptoms produced by this poison.
[402]. Plunkett’s Ointment, consists of arsenious acid, sulphur, and the powdered flowers of the Ranunculus Flammula, and Cotula Fœtida, levigated and made into a paste with the white of an egg, and applied, on a piece of pig’s bladder, to the surface of the cancer.
Pate Arsenicale. This favourite remedy of the French surgeons consists of 70 parts of cinnabar, 22 of sanguis draconis, and 8 of arsenious acid, made into paste with saliva, at the time of applying it. This combination, observes a periodical writer, is similar, with the exception of the ashes of the soles of old shoes, to that recommended by Father Cosmo under the name of “Pulvis Anti-carcinomatosa.”
Davidson’s Remedy for Cancer, arsenious acid, and powdered hemlock.
[403]. In the Journal de Medicine, the following case of a woman is related who was killed by her husband having insinuated powdered arsenic into the vagina, at the moment of enjoying the conjugal rites. “A woman at Leneux, department de l’Ourthe, aged 40, having died after a short illness, attended with considerable tumefaction of the genital parts, uterine hemorrhage, vomiting, and purging, the body was inspected by order of the mayor, when the surgeons reported that they found the vulva in a state of gangrene, the abdomen much distended with air, and the intestines inflamed and gangrenous. The culprit was arrested, convicted, and executed.” In the Acts of the Society of Medicine of Copenhagen, a similar crime is recorded, committed also by a peasant; in this latter case, although some small pieces of arsenic were found within the vagina, yet, some doubting the possibility of this species of poisoning, the magistrates consulted the College of Medicine of Copenhagen, who decided the question in the affirmative, by instituting a series of experiments upon horses.
Singleton’s Eye Salve, or Golden Ointment. Under this name is sold a preparation which consists of sulphuret of arsenic (orpiment) with lard, or spermaceti ointment. The Unguentum Hydrargyri Nitrico Oxydi of the London College is also sold under the same title.
Delcroix’s Poudre Subtil, “for removing superfluous hair in less than ten minutes.”! This fashionable depilatory appears upon examination to consist of Quick-lime and Sulphuret of Arsenic, with some vegetable powder. It is, however, so unequally mixed, that in submitting it to analysis, no two portions afforded the same results. It can scarcely be necessary to state, that such a composition is incapable of fulfilling the intention for which it is so confidently vended.