198 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



§ III. Natural History. 



1. Effects of the Sulphurets of Arsenic and other Metals on the 

 Animal System. — In order to test the opinion entertained by certain 

 physicians, that sulphuret of arsenic is innocuous, M. Orfila made 

 certain experiments with it which shewed clearly its deleterious 

 nature. On applying 50 or 60 grains of the yellow sulphuret of 

 arsenic to the thighs of dogs, these animals suffered in the same 

 manner as by other arsenical preparations, and died in from 48 to 

 60 hours. The native orpiment of Tojova poisoned and caused 

 death in two days. Death was produced in six days by 40 grains 

 of native realgar, from Hapnike, in Transylvania. Hence it is 

 shewn, that the sulphurets of arsenic, either natural or artificial, 

 and when free from white arsenic, are still poisonous. An ounce of 

 sulphuret of lead, introduced into the stomach of animals, caused 

 no injury. Six gros (354 grains) of sulphuret of copper, given to 

 a dog three months old, caused vomiting of a mucous and glairy 

 matter, without affecting the health of the animal. The black and 

 red sulphurets of mercury being well washed were also proved to 

 be innocuous by similar experiments and results ; and thus all that 

 has been said of the deleterious action of these bodies is satisfac- 

 torily shewn to be erroneous. — Archives de Medecine, 1829. 



2. Decomposition of Corrosive Sublimate by Vegetable Bodies. — 

 According to the experiments of M. Fabian, the mucilage of quince- 

 seed {semence de coing), and that of salop, decomposes corrosive 

 sublimate the instant it is mixed with its solution; but the decoction 

 of marshmallow does not produce the same effect, and the extract 

 of liquorice only partially. 



3. Poisoning by Acetate of Morphia, and Recovery. — A person in 

 Paris took 24 grains of acetate of morphia dissolved in 1 ounce of 

 water at six o'clock in the morning. In six or seven minutes the 

 poison began to take effect, the man lost his senses, and remained 

 without help until four o'clock in the afternoon. Then the master 

 of the hotel broke into the room, and seeing the state of the person, 

 immediately sent for MM. Orfila, Richard, and Tascheron, who 

 thought the case so bad, they sent for the commissary of the quatier, 

 expecting the man would die in a few hours. In the mean time 

 assistance was given, bleeding in the arms was performed, water 

 acidulated with vinegar was given, and also a very strong infusion 

 of coffee. To the great surprise of all, these means were perfectly 

 effectual, and the person ultimately recovered entirely. — La Clinique. 

 Bull. Univ. cxvii. 247. 



4. Adulteration of Bread by Sulphate of Copper. — The journals 

 of Holland have, for some time, announced that sulphate of copper, 



