Text-book of forensic medicine and toxicology

by R. J. M. Buchanan

Essential Salt of Lemons

The binoxalate of potash or salt of sorrel, or, as it is more commonly known, salt of lemons, occurs as a constituent of many plants. The common sorrel—Rumex acetosa—contains it in large quantities.

Symptoms.—Those of poisoning by oxalic acid, on which its poisonous properties depend.

Post-mortem Appearances.—Inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Other appearances as in oxalic acid.

Chemical Analysis.—[See oxalic acid]. The incinerated salt leaves a white residue of potassium carbonate; oxalic acid leaves no residue.

Fatal Period.—Eight minutes in the case of a lady recently confined, who took half an ounce of the salt by mistake for cream of tartar.

Fatal Dose.—Half an ounce.

Treatment.—The same as recommended for poisoning by oxalic acid.

Table showing Symptoms, Post-mortem Appearances,
Fatal Dose, Period of Death, and
Treatment of Poisoning by

	Sulphuric Acid.
Symptoms	Burning pain in the mouth,
	throat, and gullet. Constant
	vomiting of brownish or blackish
	matter containing blood.
	The lips shrivelled, blistered,
	and excoriated; and the corners
	of the mouth show signs
	of the corrosive action of the
	poison. Collapse and death.
Post-mortem Appearances	Presence of the signs of powerful
	corrosion; perforation of the
	stomach, which is blackened
	and softened.
Fatal Dose	One drachm.
Fatal Period	One hour. Average about ten hours.
Treatment	Magnesia, chalk, whiting, soap suds,
	milk, and mucilaginous drinks.
	Hydrocyanic Acid.
Symptoms	Giddiness, insensibility, difficult
	respiration, dilated pupil,
	tetanic spasms, and convulsions.
	In acute cases, death by shock;
	in those more prolonged
	suffocation ends the scene.
Post-mortem Appearances	Face pale and countenance composed;
	congestion of the brain, and traces
	of inflammation in the stomach
	and bowels. Odour of prussic acid
	may be detected in most cases in the
	stomach and other parts of the body.
Fatal Dose	About 45 minims of the
	Pharmacopœia acid.
Fatal Period	Two to five minutes.
Treatment	Chlorine in vapour and in water, and
	the mixed oxides of iron. Cold
	affusion to the head and face,
	galvanism, artificial respiration, &c.
	Oxalic Acid.
Symptoms	Burning pain in the mouth and
	throat, vomiting of greenish-brown
	or grumous matter. Collapse sets
	in; skin cold and clammy;
	frequent pulse, and respiration
	hurried. Delirium and convulsions
	end in death. Effects depend on
	size of dose. Well diluted, it acts
	on brain, spine, and heart.
Post-mortem Appearances	Lining membrane of mouth and
	fauces white, shrivelled, and easily
	removed. Perforation of stomach
	rare. The post-mortem appearances
	depend on dilution of acid.
Fatal Dose	One drachm in a boy; in another
	case, half an ounce.
Fatal Period	Less than ten minutes.
Treatment	Chalk and water. Promote vomiting.
	Magnesia, lime water, and oil.
	Mucilaginous drinks.