THE LESIONS INDUCED BY POISONS. 355 



intestine* may appear normal, or there may be patches of congestion and ecchymosis. 

 The larynx ami trachea may be congested. The kidneys may show albuminous and fatty 

 degeneration of the epithelium. 



Lead. 



The different preparations of lead may prove fatal either from the immediate effect 

 of large doses or from the gradual effects of repeated small doses. Although there may 

 be marked symptoms during life, the post-mortem lesions are few and variable. 



There may be chromatolysis of the ganglion cells. 



Large doses may produce acute gastritis, and sometimes a whitening of the mucous 

 membrane. The intestines are generally contracted, and there may be fatty degenera- 

 tion of the renal epithelium ; very frequently there are no appreciable lesions. 



In chronic lead poisoning the intestines may be contracted, the voluntary muscles 

 flabby and light colored, or partially replaced by connective tissue, and there may be 

 chronic meningitis. 



Copper. 



Acute poisoning by salts of copper is not very common, but it is of occasional acci- 

 dental occurrence, and the salts are infrequently used with suicidal intent. The sul- 

 phate and acetate are the most important salts in this respect. Soluble salts of copper 

 may be formed in the use of copper cooking utensils, and accidents most frequently 

 occur in this way. 



The post-mortem appearances are somewhat variable. The pharynx and oesophagus 

 may be somewhat inflamed or unchanged. The mucous membrane of the stomach and 

 intestines may be inflamed, ulcerated, or gangrenous, and perforation and peritonitis 

 may occur. The mucous membrane may have a diffuse greenish color, or particles of 

 the salt may be found adhering to it. 



Tartar Emetic. 



This preparation of antimony may prove fatal when administered in a single large 

 dose or in repeated small doses. The post-mortem lesions are not constant. In cases 

 of chronic poisoning there are usually no appreciable lesions. 



In cases of acute poisoning there may be evidence of acute inflammation of the 

 oesophagus, stomach, intestines, and peritoneum. Sometimes the stomach exhibits no 

 lesions, while the intestine is involved. Thelarynx and lungs maybe deeply congested. 



Vegetable Irritants. 



Aloes, colocynth, gamboge, jalap, scamnwny, savin, croton oil, colchicum, teratria, helle- 

 bore, elaterium, and turpentine. 



All these drugs may produce poisonous effects. The post-mortem lesions are con- 

 gestion, inflammation, and sometimes ulceration of the gastro-intestinal mucous mem- 

 brane ; but these lesions are sometimes present and sometimes absent. 



Cantharides. 



This substance may be given in powder or tincture. The entire length or only a 

 portion of the alimentary canal may be congested or inflamed. There may be patches 

 of gangrene of the mucous membrane of the stomach. When the poison has been taken 

 in substance a microscopical examination of the contents of the alimentary canal or of 

 the mucous membrane may reveal the glistening green and gold particles of the fly. 



The kidneys, ureters, and bladder may be congested and inflamed. There is some- 

 times congestion of the brain and its membranes. 



