AND PHARMACOPEIA. 525 



being condensed, fall gradually down in the fox*m of a lio-ht 

 powdery oxide or carbonate of lead.* 



Sulphate of copper f is poisonous if given in too large a dose. 



The most powerful of the vegetable poisons is Woorali or Ti- 

 cunus, Avhich destroys small animals in a few minutes if applied 

 to a wound in the skin. I have seen a rabbit die in about five 

 minutes after it was inoculated. In the horse, its effect has been 

 on the nervous system, producing a sort of trance. 



Cicuta virosa, Long-leaved Water-hemlock, or Cowbaue, is 

 a strong poison, and has been the means of destroying a great 

 number of cattle. Its deleterious property, with respect to 

 cattle, was first discovered by Linnteus, in a country where a 

 great number of cattle had been destroyed by it. It is seldom 

 found, I believe, in England. 



The leaves of the yew tree are a strong poison, and have 

 often destroyed horses and cattle. I once gave five ounces 

 to a young donkey, and it killed him within an hour. % Pro- 

 fessor Viborg, according to Mr. Bracy Clark, gave twelve 

 ounces of the green plant to a horse, of which he ate eight 

 ounces, and fell dead, without any indication of suffering, at the 

 end of one hour from his swallowing it. The same effect was 

 produced by six ounces in an experiment of MM. Bredon and 

 Henon, of Lyons. A mule died in five hours after taking six 

 ounces with some hay. They all died suddenly and without 

 convulsions. The only effect observed, on examination after 

 death, was that the intestines of the mule had a small spot of 



* The best antidotes are Epsom and Glauber's salts with croton or linseed 

 oil, and followed by opium. The salts of lead may be discovered by iodide 

 of potassium, which causes a yellow precipitate. 



The effects of copper smoke have been also found exceedingly detrimental 

 to the health of horses, and producing considerable swellings of the joints in 

 animals exposed to its influence near the mines; an immediate change of 

 locality should be resorted to in such cases. — Ed. 



t The best antidote is soap and oily purgatives with gruel, &c. — Ed. _ 



Under mineral poisons should be included sulphuric, nitric, and muriatic 

 acids, which produce the most rapid and intense inflammation and excoria- 

 tion of the coats of the mouth and stomach, &c., attended with great agony, 

 and soon followed by death. The antidotes are large quantities of liquids 

 with chalk, magnesia, or soap, so as to dilute and neutralise the poison, and 

 afterwards exhibiting opiates. Blood-letting may also be employed. 



Oxalic acid has been sometimes given in mistake for Epsom salts; it is a 

 very powerful poison, producing effects similar to the mineral acids. Chalk, 

 magnesia, &c. may be given in large quantities, with solution of gum, linseed 

 tea°&c., but water should not be given freely. 



Most powerful medicines become poisons in large doses. — Ed. 



+ There are a number of instances of death being produced by the yew 

 tree. I ima"-ine it is much more poisonous in its dry state, when it will be 

 eat with avidity by sheep and cattle. I have known forty or fifty sheep de- 

 stroyed in one day from eating the withered leaves of the yew tree. We 

 know of no antidote for this poison, but recommend large doses of oily pur- 

 gatives with a view of expelling it. — Ed. 



