POISONS AND STATISTICS ON POISONS 7 



tor oil bean, one gram of which, if properly diluted, is estimated as suffi- 

 cient to cause the deaths of 1,500,000 guinea-pigs. The characteristics of the 

 animal affected by the poison is also an important factor in the result. For 

 instance, a fatal dose of strychnin in case of ruminants, when given by 

 mouth is varying; when given hypodermically, it is a little larger than for 

 horses; the minimum fatal dose for a horse being \ l / 2 to 3 grains when given 

 hypodermically, and 3/5 grains (or ^2 ounce of nux vomica) when given by 

 mouth, but as much as 2 grains is permissible. 



The snail is said to be capable of withstanding more strychnin than an 

 adult man. The minimum dose for man is l / 2 a grain, while 4/7 grains con- 

 stitute a lethal quantity. 



Cardiac poisons produce no action upon insects. The rabbit can stand more 

 morphin than a man. Kobert says: "Amygdatitt does not affect dogs, but it 

 kills rabbits. The hedgehog takes, with apparent enjoyment, a dose of canthar- 

 ides that would kill several persons under excruciating pains. The bite of the 

 most venomous snake does not harm him; he can even accommodate no in- 

 considerable quantity of hydrocyanic acid. Whereas the frog is extraordinarily 

 susceptible to the digitalis poisons, they have no effect on the toad." "Poisons 

 act more powerfully when absorbed from the subcutaneous connective tissue 

 than when administered internally, with the following exceptions : The neutral 

 crotonolglycerid which is found in large quantities in the fresh seeds of Croton 

 Tig Hum, but which is often lacking in commercial croton oil, is inactive when 

 introduced under the skin. It possesses, however, terrific action when taken 

 into the stomach. Myronic acid of mustard as an alkaline salt has no effect 

 when it is injected under the skin ; it has, on the other hand, a strong action 

 when taken per os by herbivora ; the same is true of amygdalin. 



"In all three of the foregoing cases, the apparent exception to the rule is 

 explained by the fact that the substance, in itself not poisonous, is split up in the 

 intestinal tract, giving off, amongst others, a toxic substance. In the instance 

 first mentioned, crotonilic acid is the poison thus freed; in the second, ethereal 

 mustard oil', and in the third, hydrocyanic acid. Some substances, such as salts 

 of manganese, iron, tungsten, have no poisonous action when introduced into 

 the intestinal tract, because under these conditions only very minute quantities 

 are absorbed; others are rendered inert because they are excreted almost as 

 quickly as they are taken up, curare being an example; and yet others, such as 

 snake poison, spider poison, quillaic acid, sapoto.rin, ergotinic acid, are converted 

 into non-poisonous substances within the intestines." 



Persons may become accustomed gradually to the use of poisons. Thus 

 individuals who consume opium or its alkaloids may take large doses without 

 apparent injury, although children are particularly susceptible. The former 

 statement is equally true of those who daily use such poisons as hashish, 

 nicotin, caffein, cocain, alcohol, or morphin. They must have the drug in 

 order to keep up their condition. Many people exhibit idiosyncrasies with 

 reference to food substances or drugs. Some people cannot inhale the odor 

 of morphin, turpentine, or tobacco without becoming ill. Others are uncom- 

 fortably affected if the flowers of the common bird cherry or the haw are left 

 in the room. Others become sick when in the presence of the flowers of the 

 tuberose. Coming in contact with the castor-oil plants sometimes causes illness. 



