S86 Experiments and Olservations on 



meter, was observed after death on the inner surface of tli© 

 cardiac extremity of the stoniach, having; so much of the 

 appearance of a slough, that at first I had no doubt of it 

 being so j but on exaujinalion this proved to be only a thin 

 layer of dark cnjoured coagulum of blood, adhering very 

 firmly to the surface of the mucous membrane, and having 

 a few particles of arsenic entangled in it. On removing 

 this, tlie mucous membrane still appeared of a dark colour ; 

 but this was also found to arise from a thin laver of coa- 

 gulum of blood between it and the ctlluiar coat. The 

 mucous membrane itself was inflamed ; but otherwise in a 

 natural state. I have observed a similar ap|)earance, but 

 occupying a less extent of surface, several times. In the 

 Hunterian Museum there is a human stomach, which was 

 preservfd to show what was considered as a slough pro- 

 duced b\' the action of arsenic. On examining this pre- 

 paration, I found that the daik-coloured spot, which had 

 been supposed to be a slough, was precisely of the same 

 nature with that just described. 



Although tlie ati'ection of the stomach and intestines 

 from arsenic is not the cause of death, under ordinary cir- 

 cumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that it may be so 

 in some instances, if the animal survives the effects pro- 

 duced on the ofoans more immediately n^i'-'essary to life. 

 Mr. Henry Earle informed me of an instance in which this 

 appeared to be the case. A woman in St. Bartholomew's 

 hospital, who had taken arsenic, recovered of the inmiediatc- 

 symptoms, but died at the end of fouf or five days. On 

 examination after death, extensive ulcerations were found 

 of the mucous membrane <;f the stomach and intestines, 

 which we can hardly doubt to have been the cause of 

 death. 



It is an important matter of inquiry, as connected with 

 judicial medicine, how far may the examination of the 

 body, after death, enable us to decide, whether an animal 

 has died of the effects of arsenic ? On this subject, how- 

 ever, I have only a fe.v remarks to make. 



The inflammation from arsenic, occupying in general the 

 whole of the slon:ach and intestine, is more extensive than 

 that from anv other poison with which I am acquainted. 

 It does not affect the pharynx or oesophagus, and this cir- 

 cumstance distinguishes it from the inflannnaiion which is 

 occasioned bv the actual contact ofirritatmg applications. 



But little in general is lo be learnt from the examination 

 of the contents of the stomach after death. When arsenic 

 has been taken in substance, small particles of it are 



frequently 



