220 POISONING. 



Symptoms. Free salivation, the saliva gradually becoming foetid 

 and blood-stained. The slight irritation of the buccal membrane first 

 seen is soon replaced by congestion of the gums, then by gingivitis and 

 periostitis, with local ulceration and haemorrhage. The portion of the 

 gums surrounding the teeth becomes violet, and suppurative alveolitis 

 may follow. 



As a consequence of disturbance in the digestive secretions digestion 

 ceases, defsecation becomes irregular, the faeces are often hard and coated, 

 and can only be passed with difi&culty, though sometimes there is profuse 

 foetid diarrhoea. 



Eespiration is difficult, jerky, or even dyspnoeic, and is accompanied 

 by discharge from the nose and by expectoration. The gait is irregular, 

 and paralysis may follow. Finally the skin shows an eruption resembling 

 that of impetiginous eczema ; vesico -pustules, covered with yellowish 

 crusts, appear over the entire surface of the body. 



Lesions. The lesions of haemorrhagic gastro- enteritis are sometimes 

 accompanied by catarrhal tracheo-bronchitis, and even intra-pulmonary 

 haemorrhage. The muscles are discoloured, appear as though boiled, and 

 are covered with ecchymoses. Blood effusions occur beneath the ecze- 

 matous crusts, but the rest of the skin is anaemic. 



Treatment includes administration of raw eggs, or, better still, of 

 white of egg beaten up in water ; the albumen in coagulating imprisons 

 the mercury. Failing these, other bodies, like flowers of sulphur and 

 iodide of potassium, which with mercurial salts form soluble and 

 harmless compounds, may be given. Chlorate of potash has also been 

 recommended. 



Complications like stomatitis and gastro-enteritis are treated by the 

 usual methods. 



LEAD POISONING : SATURNISM. 



Lead poisoning is very rare, and seldom occurs except near camps or 

 factories. It then results from swallowing lead " spray " mixed with the 

 grass or from inhalation of lead vapour. 



The symptoms comprise salivation, nausea, colic, obstinate consti- 

 pation, tympanites, and arrest of milk secretion. A peculiar form of 

 trembling affects the head ; epileptiform convulsions, amaurosis, and 

 paralysis may also occur. General sensibility diminishes, and death 

 follows. 



The disease may assume a chronic form, characterised by a blue line 

 around the gums, changes in the joints, albuminuria, and bodily wasting. 



The lesions are those of ulcerative stomatitis, anaemia of the mucous 

 membranes, and fatty degeneration of the epithelium. In the chronic 

 form the kidneys are atrophied. 



