26 FLORA HOM@OPATHICA. 
TREATMENT oF Porsontnac By Musurooms.—The following 
extract is from Orfila (Tozicol. Gener., 3rd edit., p. 446): “I 
have tried the following experiments to ascertain the value 
of vinegar, common salt, ether, emetics, and volatile alkali, in 
cases of poisoning by mushrooms :— 
“ Vinegar.—1st. This vegetable acid has the property of 
dissolving the active parts of the Amanita and Agaricus bul- 
bosus, so that one may with impunity swallow either of these 
kinds of mushrooms, cut in pieces, and cleansed in this acid, 
but the liquor is excessively poisonous.” This agrees with the 
experience of M. Paulet. 
“2nd. When these mushrooms are taken into the stomach 
with vinegar, in a quantity sufficient to produce death, it takes 
place sooner than without vinegar, provided the substance 
has not been vomited ; which doubtless arises from the property 
of the vinegar to dissolve those parts which are most easily 
absorbed. 
“3rd. Vinegar and water appears to be useful in this kind of 
poisoning, when the substance has been removed by evacuants. 
“ Common salt (muriate of soda) dissolved in water has the 
same property as vinegar in dissolving the active parts of the 
mushroom, and has of course t 
he same advantages and dis- 
advantages, 
“Sulphuric ether, of late so much used in these cases, appears 
to be very useful after evacuants. In fact, we have restored 
dogs after giving them doses of Amanita sufficient to kill 
them, by making them swallow, after the poison was eva- 
cuated, alternately ether and etherated water, 
anodyne liquor of Hoffmann. 
= ics and emeto-cathartics are also em 
inent in treating 
these cases, for death almost always follows when the substance 
1s not removed.” 
M. Paulet has found that volatile alkali (ammonia) is 
more injurious than otherwise, and that oil, butter, and milk 
are useless. 
or the mineral 
