380 Arsenic taken without Tyury. 
from our knowledge of chemistry we have reason to expect it 
should be, but we ought not to trust to theory without some ex- | 
perience. 
Mr. R—— took last evening, through mistake, a considerable 
quantity of arseniate of potash; he had previously been visited 
with a severe pain in the head, from uncommon exertion during 
the day, and had taken his supper immediately upon the top of 
the dose of arsenic: some suspicions were now excited, and as- 
sistance sent for, which, fortunately, was near. 
Found him with a quick pulse, considerable prostration of 
strength, a sense of heat over the whole body, pricking in the 
limbs, the head-ache gone, a disagreeable dry sensation in the 
throat, and some degree of anxiety, as might be expected. 
Gave twenty-five grains of sulphate of zinc, which produced a 
very little sickness; after waiting fifteen minutes, gave, at short 
intervals, twelve grains more, together with half an ounce of pul- 
verized charcoal, suspended in a teacup of water: no sickness 
produced, but the heat and pricking were no longer felt, and the 
pulse became moderate. 
Ordered half an ounce of charcoal and water as before ; a table 
spoonful of which to be given every fifteen minutes: an ounce of 
ol. ricini, to be repeated at an interval of four hours, should not 
the first quantity operate ; and left him for the night. 
Found, this morning, that he has slept comfortably most of the 
night, has taken two ounces of oil, which has operated profusely 
and frequently; has no thirst or sickness at stomach; pulse slow 
and regular; tongue swoln and pale, but lively at the margin ; 
countenance good, and he will be able to attend to his ordinary 
business shortly. 
Conclusions.—That the-charcoal was the only agent in coun- 
teracting the effects of the poison, and was the cause, together 
with the torpor of the stomach, of his not puking from 37 grains 
of white vitriol. 
That the dose of vitriol retained in the system must have pro- 
duced an uncommon paroxysm of thirst, had it not been for the 
exhibition of carbon; and therefore that all metallic oxides must 
be inert, when given with the medicine. 
That heii a view of inverting the action of the stomach, ve- 
getable emetics, and not mineral, should be resorted to, such as 
oxymel of squills, ipecacuanha, apocynum androsemifolium, ly- 
copodium, selago, and, above all, the distilled water of ranun- 
culus fiammula, the operation of which is said by Dr. Withering 
(a respectable writer) to be immediate. 
Note.—There are two varieties of r. flammula, but both fre- 
quent the same soil, and consequently possess the same proper- 
ties. 'The virtues bf this plant (r. f.) ought to be investigated ; 
the 
é ; 
