VEGETABLE POISONS. 249 



In the course of his observations, Mr. Robart 

 notices a chemist in Germany, who had made a 

 preparation of the prussiated alcohol, which 

 bore some resemblance to laurel water. " The 

 chemist shewed this liquor to some friends who 

 were dining with him; and, on leaving the room, 

 forgot to carry it away. The servant on clearing 

 the table finding this liquor agreeable to his 

 palate, drank a small glass full of it, and died in 

 two minutes as if struck down by apoplexy." 



" In examining after death the animals upon 

 whom these experiments were made, it did not 

 appear that any material mischief had been done 

 to the important organs. The leading features, 

 were the very dark and dirty appearance of the 

 blood in the large vessels, and the powerful and 

 prevailing smell of the prussic acid, which ema- 

 nated from every part that cameunderobservation. 



In addition to the proof we have already given 

 of its destructive effects on the human constitu- 

 tion, as exemplified in the unfortunate servaut 

 who inadvertently took a small glass of it; we 

 may adduce a case noticed by Huffeland, who 

 mentions, that a robust man, aged thirty-six years, 

 at the moment when he was about to be taken 

 up as a thief, seized a small sealed vial which he 

 had concealed in his pocket, and breaking off the 

 neck, swallowed the greatest part of the fluid 

 contained in it, which was about an ounce in 

 quantity. It spread such a strong smell of bitter 

 almonds, as almost to stupify every one present. 



