TOXICOLOGICAL CHART. 



203 



blush ; the lungs and heart are congested, 

 and the venous blood is of a brighter color 

 than usual. Constriction and inflamma- 

 tion of the neck of the bladder have also 

 been observed. 



Tests. — From the fluid contents of the 

 alimentary tube, or from the urine, the salt 

 may be obtained by evaporation and crystal- 

 lization. It is known by deflagrating when 

 thrown on a piece of ignited charcoal, of 

 which it animates the combustion ; and by 

 yielding nitric acid when distilled with sul- 

 phuric acid. Heat also disengages oxygen 

 from it. 



Chloride of Platinum added to its solu- 

 tion gives a yellow precipitate. 



AGENT. 



CANTHARIS. 



'' 77ie Blistering Fly. 



Symptoms. — Much uneasiness ; intesti- 

 nal irritation ; frequent attempts to stale ; 

 strangury ; bloody urine ; accelerated pulse 

 and respiration ; continual pain, with much 

 constitutional disturbance. These symp- 

 toms increase in urgency, until death closes 

 the scene. 



Treatment. — Expulsion of the agent 

 from out of the alimentary tube by brisk 

 purgatives ; oil is objectionable, on account 

 of the solubity of the active principle of 

 the cantharides in it. A free use of dilu- 

 ents ; opium may be given, and oleaginous 

 and demulcent injections thrown into the 

 bladder. Sheepskins over the loins ; hot 

 rags over the abdomen. 



Morbid Appearances. — The mucous lin- 

 ing of the alimentary canal throughout in 

 a high state of diffused inflammation ; but 

 the urinary organs are principally affected : 

 the blood-vessels of the kidneys, bladder, 

 and urethra, are much engorged, and the 



lining membrane of the latter has in some 

 places a sphaceletic appearance. 



Tests. — Washing of the contents of the 

 stomach and alimentary tube will develop 

 portions of the beautiful green case-wings 

 of the fly, which appear not quickly to un- 

 dergo decomposition ; Orfila having detected 

 them in a body some months after death. 



AGENTS. 



BITE OF THE VIPER, 



STING OF THE HORNET, WASP, ETC. 



Symptoms. — Subcutaneous inflamma- 

 tion, indicated by swelling and increased 

 heat, with effusion into the cellular tissue, 

 which sometimes goes on to gangrene; 

 pain ; constitutional excitement ; quickened 

 and irregular pulse ; rigors. 



The bite of a viper has been known to 

 cause cerebral derangement and death, by 

 its influence on the nervous system. 



Treatment. — Removal of the stings ; 

 counter-irritants, as liniment of ammonia 

 or turpentine, which, if sufficient, are to be 

 followed by scarification, the use of emol- 

 lients, and the general antiphlogistic reme- 

 dies, such as bleeding, fomentations, and 

 laxatives, with opium to allay the general 

 irritation. The virus of the tooth of the 

 viper may be extracted by cupping, or, 

 which is preferable, let the part be excised, 

 and the nitrate of silver freely applied 

 afterwards. 



Morbid Appearances. — But few instances 

 of death are recorded. If it takes place, it 

 is probably the result of sympathetic and 

 general excitement of the whole system; 

 the usual indications, therefore, of increased 

 nervous and vascular action may be ex- 

 pected to be met with. 



Tests. — None. 



