The homœopathic solution (Rubini‘s) is stronger than that of the British Pharmacopœia in the proportion of 7.2 to 1. For its detection in organic fluids, it may be removed by chloroform; and from fixed oils, by distillation. Water precipitates it from its alcoholic solution.
Post-mortem Appearances.—Those produced by irritants.
Treatment.—Purgation and emetics, to empty the bowel and stomach.
SALICYLIC ACID
This substance, prepared by acting on a mixture of carbolic acid and sodium with carbonic acid at a moderate heat, is used largely for acute rheumatism. In some cases premonitory symptoms of poisoning have demanded a cessation in the administration of the drug. The most usual of these are noises in the ears, difficulty of hearing, amblyopia, delirium, and profuse perspiration. There may be hæmorrhages from the mucous membranes, and into the retina. When the drug is discontinued the symptoms pass off. The symptoms are held by some observers to be due to the artificial and not the natural acid.
CHAPTER X
INEBRIANT POISONS
The poisons grouped under this head are characterised by causing delirium, followed by narcotism. Recovery is not infrequently slow, the system suffering more or less severely from the effects of the poison.
In the case of alcohol, loss of appetite, accompanied with considerable gastric irritation, are among the after-effects of the poison.
The chief of this group are—Alcohol, Cocculus Indicus, Poisonous Fungi, Nitro-Benzene.