POISONING WITH ARSENTOUS ACID. 145 
Dr. Taylor, speaking of the remote action of poisons, says, 
“ Arsenic sometimes affects the heart, which is indicated by 
syncope. At other times the brain and nervous system, which 
is known by the coma , stupor , and paralysis , that occasion- 
ally supervene in poisoning by this substance. * * In all 
cases of poisoning, whether the substance have a local action 
or not, death must commonly be ascribed to the influence 
exerted on a remote organ important to life. * * Nothing 
is more common than to hear it said, in cases of arsenical 
poisoning, that the local changes are sufficient to account for 
death. These changes, which are due to the irritant pro- 
perties of the poison, should, however, be regarded rather as 
accompaniments of its action, than as absolutely necessary 
to explain its fatal effects ; although it cannot be denied that 
violent inflammation, attended by ulceration or gangrene, 
may suffice to account for death, as in cases of severe gas- 
tritis produced by any cause whatever. In this, and in most 
other instances, when the substance is simply irritant, death 
is commonly due to the remote influence of the poison. This 
view appears probable from the fact that, if arsenic be re- 
moved from the stomach before it has had time to produce 
any well-marked local changes, the case may nevertheless 
prove fatal by the effect of that portion which has been 
absorbed and carried into the circulation.” 
The French veterinarians assert, that from one to two 
ounces of arsenious acid is required to destroy life in the 
horse ; and in an experiment performed at the College some 
years since, it was found an ounce and a half proved sufficient 
for this purpose. 
The following are the lesions given by them as existing 
after death : “ Erosion of the mucous lining of the stomach, 
particularly on the right side. Also of the caecum, and 
sometimes of the colon. Spots of ecchymosis, occasionally 
extensive and numerous, in the bladder; and traces of acute 
inflammatory action under the serous membranes of the 
cavities of the heart.” They have likewise proved, that how- 
ever serious may be the lesions of the larger intestines, 
analysis, only w 7 ith extreme difficulty, renders manifest any 
portion of the poison, but that the contents of the stomach 
yield it readily.] 
XXVIII. 
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