accidental Use of IVh'ite Lead. gs 



relieved; in ihe evening, however, the pains and vomiting 

 recurred, and these symptoms continued for some succes- 

 sive days, in so distressing a degree, that it was deemed 

 advisable to considt the family physician, which was done 

 on November 4, 1808. At this time these symptoms con- 

 tinued as already intimated, without anv appearance of fever, 

 and hence the physician was induced to consider the aflec- 

 tions as of a rheumatic and spasmodic nature. 



In a few days, in consequence of the amendment of the 

 patient, he discontinued his visits. In about a week after 

 this period, a boy in the same family, nearly sixteen years 

 of age, was seized with symptoms exactly similar to those 

 of the preceding case, and similar remedies alTorded only 

 partial relief, till at length he was removed into the country, 

 and thereby recovered his health. 



A week after the attack of this youth, the eldest child, a 

 boy six years old, was also seized with analogous sym- 

 ptoms, and, the mother having relapsed into her former 

 state, the physician was again consulted on the igth of 

 November. At this lime three other persons in the family 

 laboured under similar affections, and suspicions were now 

 entertained that some poisonous substance might have 

 caused this general indisposition cf the family; but after 

 minute investigation no one circumstance was discovered 

 to confirm this suspicion, or to elucidate the source of so 

 extensive a calamity. 



The sickness and pain continued unabated in Mrs. R. ; 

 but the son, after the period of a fortnight, was dec.ned in 

 a state of convalescence by his physician, who discontinued 

 his attendance ; he was, however, sotm after seized with 

 convulsions, and expired within a few iiours. Tjucxpected 

 and severe as thiN shock was, Mrs. R. afterwards cradually 

 grew a little belter. She had hitherto continued to suckle 

 her child, which, it being fifteen months old, si'.e was ad- 

 vised to wean : to this she reluctantly consented. In about 

 ten days afterwards the child becaine somewhat costive, 

 without any olher apparent indisposition; but at this period 

 it was seized with vomiting and convulsions, and suddenly 

 expired. The unhappy parent now eNperienced a return of 

 her complaints, and, under a persuasion of the incfficacy 

 of professional aid, she was prevailed upon to consult an 

 empiric, whose attendance, though continued to the end 

 ofiiicyear, proved unavailing; and on the 3d of January, 

 1809, she had the advice of Pvlr. Chevalier, an experienced 

 surgeon, who considered the patient's complaint to be 

 chronic rheumatism, and by the use of clysters of warm 



waler^ 



