VEGETABLE POISONS. 193 



following symptoms; namely, a spasmodic affec- 

 tion of the muscles generally, and of the throat 

 in particular a great horror at the sight of water, 

 or of any other fluid, or indeed of any article which 

 is likely to associate with it the idea of swallow- 

 ing considerable agitation upon the air of the 

 room being put in motion, or upon the least move- 

 ment and increased noise in the chamber a 

 strong aversion to light bilious vomiting great 

 thirst and desire to drink, but immediately con- 

 vulsed upon the least attempt to swallow fever- 

 ish heat of the skin with a furred tongue and a 

 quick, small, and weak pulse. With these symp- 

 toms, the patient is perfectly sensible, and is con- 

 formable to instructions, even naming the articles 

 of drink and diet he wishes to have, though the 

 attempt to swallow, throws the whole frame into 

 the most agonizing convulsions ; while the mental 

 anxiety about the consequences advances with 

 the progress of the disease, and is a leading 

 feature as long as consciousness remains. In a 

 few hours, all these symptoms become increased. 

 More or less of delirium has commenced with 

 occasional raving, and sometimes screaming ; 

 and which, combined with the aridity of the 

 throat, and hoarseness of the voice, convey, with a 

 little help of the imagination, the idea of barking. 

 Yet with all these untoward symptoms, the 

 patient seldom entirely loses his reason, or a 

 consciousness of his situation; and has generally 



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