TOXICOLOGICAL CHART. 



207 



unless active measures be immediately 

 adopted. If the dose be not sufficiently 

 large for this purpose, there will be a suc- 

 cession of paroxysms, leaving behind them 

 much debility, which is to be counteracted 

 by tonics and diffusible stimulants, with, 

 perhaps, counter-irritants along the course 

 of the spine, lest effusion should take 

 place. 



Morbid Appearances. — Mucous lining of 

 the alimentary tube inflamed, lungs gorged 

 with blood, and the vascular system through- 

 out the body in a state of congestion. The 

 spinal canal much inflamed. Effusion of 

 bloody serum into the theca vertebralis ; 

 motor division of the spinal cord more in- 

 jected than the other, and the nerves taking 

 their origin from it inflamed. The mem- 

 branes of the brain have been found in- 

 flamed, with effusion on the surface of the 

 cerebellum, and a softening of the whole 

 cortical portion of the brain. Rigidity of 

 the muscles of the body. Rapid decompo- 

 sition, accompanied with much foetor. 



Tests. — The powder of the nut has a 

 greenish-gray color, an intensely bitter taste, 

 and the odor of liquorice. Being collected, 

 it is to be boiled in water acidulated with 

 sulphuric acid, filtered, and the solution 

 neutralized by carbonate of lime and evap- 

 orated to dryness. The dry mass being 

 acted upon by successive portions of alco- 

 hol, these are to be evaporated to the con- 

 sistence of syrup, when the product will be 

 found to have an intensely bitter taste, and 

 it becomes of a deep orange-red color with 

 nitric acid, which color is desti'oyed by the 

 protochloride of tin. Sometimes it de- 

 posits crystals of strychnia on standing. 

 These tests will also be available for the 

 alkaloid ; to which may be added its spar- 

 ing solubility in water, the alkaline reaction 

 of its alcoholic solution, and its forming 

 neutral and crystallizable salts with acids. 



AGENT. 



SEMEN CROTONI. 



Croton Seed. 

 Symptoms. — This purgative, when in- 

 cautiously administered, has produced death 



by inducing violent inflammation of the 

 intestinal canal, followed by superpurga- 

 tion ; the alvine dejections being profuse, 

 watery, and offensive. 



Treatment. — A free use of demulcents, 

 with astringents, as catechu, opium, and 

 chalk. Bloodletting ; opiate enemas. Hot 

 rugs to the abdomen, counter irritants, etc. 



Morbid Appearances. — Violent inflam- 

 mation of the intestines, particularly the 

 caecum and colon, involving all the tunics, 

 the mucous lining being easily torn. Fae- 

 ces abundant and semi-fluid. Lungs in a 

 state of congestion. 



Tests. — None definite. 



A GENT. 



DIGITALIS PURPUREA. 



Fox Glove. 



Symptoms. — Languor, gastric irritation, 

 coldness of the body and extremities, pale- 

 ness of the mucous tissues, cold and clam- 

 my perspiration, quickened and feeble pulse, 

 death. 



When it accumulates in the system, af- 

 ter having been repeatedly given in compar- 

 atively small doses, it produces loss of 

 appetite, nausea, languor, a quick and irreg- 

 ular pulse, followed by purgation, and the 

 effects then gradually disappear. 



Treatment. — Expulsion of the agent by 

 means of a solution of aloes, combined 

 with linseed oil. The free use of demul- 

 cents ; diffusible stimulants ; counter-irri- 

 tants. 



Morbid Appearances. — Depending upon 

 the condition and previous state of the 

 animal. If much debilitated, inflammation 

 of the mucous lining of the stomach and 

 alimentary tube may be seen to exist. At 

 other times no trace of its influence on any 

 of the tissues can be detected, and it is then 

 supposed to cause death by exhaustion of 

 the nervous energy. 



Tests. — None definite. 



AGENT. 



VERATRUM ALBUM. 



White Hellebore. 

 Symptoms. — Efforts to vomit, acceler- 



