74 



KEW ENGLAND F/U^IMER. 



Feb. 



embracing Kansas, ^''^ebraska, Colorado and 

 Wyoming, owing to its peculiarly invigorating 

 atmosphere, will yet produce the intellects, 

 that will mould the destinies of nations and 

 give laws to the world. E. M. Cleveland. 

 New Braintree, Mass., Dec. 20, 1870. 



Remarks. — Our disposition is to look on the 

 bright rather than the dark side of all objects 

 presented to view ; still it is possible to polish 

 up some things so bright and glistening as to 

 compel one to turn away his eyes. We think 

 our correspondent makes Kansas shine rather 

 brighter than other visitors and the residents in 

 that young State will think just, unless they 

 have land they wish to sell. His remark that 

 •'not less than one hundred per cent, per an- 

 num on capital invested" m stock raising in 

 Kansas is realized, leads us to mistrust that 

 his observations during his two visits were not 

 very thorough. Stock raising and fattening 

 is undoubtedly good bubiness in Kansas, but 

 we mistrust there are many items of expense 

 and risk omitted in any calculation which ar- 

 rives at a conclusion of one hundred per cent, 

 per annum. We mistrust also that there are 

 exceptions to our correspondent's representa- 

 tions of the "invigorating atmosphere" which 

 rests upon the rich soil of Kansas. 



For the New England Farmer, 

 MBDlCALi TOPICS. 



BY A MEDICAIi MAN, 



Poisons; their Symptoms and Treatment. 



CONCLUDED. 



PnospnoRUS — This is an irritant poison, 

 used in the manufacture of matches. ' 



Symptoms. — A hot unpleasant tastey an 

 acrid, burning sensation in the throat and 

 stomach, nausea and vomiting, the matter 

 vomited bsing of a dark color and emitting 

 white fumes ; the pulse is small and frequent, 

 and not unfrequencly violent convulsions end 

 the scene. 



Treatment. — Give an emetic promptly ; also 

 copious draughts of magnesia in water, and 

 mucilaginous drinks. 



Poisonous Fl-^h — Conger E'?l, Crawfish, 

 Dolpbin, Old Wile, Spanish Mackerel, and 

 several others. 



Symptoms. —In sm hour or two — often in 

 a much shorter time — afrer the fish has been 

 eaten, a weight at the stomach comes on, with 

 slight dizziness and headiche, a sense of heat 

 about the head and eyes, considerable thirst, 

 and often an eruption of the skin; occasion- 

 ally convulsions and death. 



Treatment — An emetic of ground mustard 

 or of white vitriol (^sulphate of zinc) must be 



speedily given, with copious draughts of warm 

 water. This should be followed by an active 

 purgative, and then by vinegar and water. 

 Laudanum may be given if there be indica- 

 tions of spasm, and stimulants may be neces- 

 sary in some cases. 



Poison Hemlock. — See Conium. 



Poisonous Insects. — Bee, Gnat, Hornet, 

 Scorpion, Waep, &c. 



Symptoms. — In general, the sting of these 

 insects occasions only a slight degree of pain 

 and swelling. But sometimes the symptoms 

 are more violent, and sickness and fever are 

 produced. 



Treatment. — Rub hartshorn (ammonia) and 

 sweet oil on ihe affected part ; and a rag 

 moistened in the same, or in salt and water, 

 may be kept upon it till the pain is removed. 

 Moistened clay is an excellent remedy. A 

 few drops of aqua ammonia or hart'chorn may 

 be given frequently in a little water, and a 

 glass or two of wine or of weak sling may be 

 taken if the symptoms are severe. The sting 

 may be removed in most casss by making a 

 strorg pressure around it with the barrel of a 

 watch key. 



Poison Ivy. — Poison Oak. (Rhus toxico- 

 dendron.) — Symptoms and treatment like Aco- 

 nite, Conitum, .&c. 



Poisonous Mushrooms. — Several kinds 

 of mubhrooms are poisonous, and have been 

 eaten by mistake. 



Symptoms — Nausea, heat and pain in the 

 stomach and bowels, vomiting and purging, 

 great thirst, small and frequent pulse, stupor, 

 dilated pupil, cold sweat, fainting, convulsions 

 and death. 



Treatment. — Clear the stomach and bowels 

 by giving an emetic of ground mustard, or of 

 white vitriol {sulphate of zinc,) followed by 

 Epsom salts (sulphate of magnesia,) and 

 large stimulating enemas. After the poison 

 has been thoroughly evacuated, small quanti- 

 ties of brandy and water may be given. 



Poisonous Serpents — Boa, Copperhead, 

 Mocasin, Rattlesnake, Viper, &c. 



Symptoms. — A sharp pain is felt in the 

 wounded part, which soon extend;) over the 

 limb or body ; great swelling, at first hard aod 

 pale, th^n red, livid and gangrenous in ap- 

 pearance. Paintings come en, with vomiting, 

 convul^ioas, and sometimes jaundice. The 

 pulse \i small, frequent and irregular, the 

 breathing is difficult, the sight fails the intel- 

 lectual faculties are deranged, cold sweats 

 come on, and inflammation, suppuration, and 

 sometimes extensive gangrene takes place. 



Treatment. — Apply a tight ligature between 

 the wound and the heart ; draw all the blood 

 possible, by means of a cupping glass, then 

 apply a hot iron, and afterwards cover the 

 wound with lint, dipped in equal parts of 

 sweet oil and hartshorn. Warm drinks and 

 small doses of ammonia, to cause perspiration, 

 may oe given. 



Poison SuM.iCi?. — Dogwood, (erroneously 



