Chemical Analysis.—Separate the poison by dialysis, evaporate, and test the crystals as directed under nitric acid.
Fatal Dose.—About an ounce.
Fatal Period.—Two hours.
Treatment.—The same as for other irritants; demulcent drinks. Promote vomiting.
Sulphate of Potash
Sal Polychrist, Sal de Duobus, or sulphate of potash, acts as an irritant poison, being largely used in France as an abortive. The symptoms and the post-mortem appearances are much the same as those produced by the nitrate. A like treatment may also be adopted. In the detection of this substance, the nitrate of baryta will point to the acid present, and bichloride of platinum to the presence of potash.
Chlorate of Potash
This salt acts as a poison when taken in large doses, producing symptoms which might be mistaken for poisoning with arseniuretted hydrogen, or for such diseases as hæmoglobinuric fever.
Symptoms.—These comprise pain in the stomach and bowels with vomiting, collapse and stupor, cyanosis, jaundice; diminution of the urine, which contains hæmoglobin, casts, and albumen. It is a question whether the jaundice is hæmatogenous or hepatogenous. Chlorate of potash destroys the red corpuscles, the hæmoglobin is dissolved out and is set free in the liquor sanguinis.
Fatal Dose.—45-50 grains proved fatal to a child three years old. For an adult 390 grains to an ounce and a half.