ON EXCIPIENTS FOR PILLS. 
283 
protection-stamp was also attached to the bottle, which smelt strongly of this 
mixture, so also did the poor fellow’s breath. The following signs and symptoms 
wi 1 give an idea of his condition Countenance of a livid hue. Eyes , suffused 
tears, for the most part fixed, having a vacant, disconcerted stare. Conjunc¬ 
tive congested almost red. Pupils alternately dilated and contracted, more so the 
former than the latter. _ Tongue brown and dry as pasteboard. Breathing at 
intervals quick and hurried, almost amounting to panting, succeeded by a lon^ 
pause, wound up by a deep and convulsive sigh. Pulse at times scarcely appre^ 
ciable, 160 per minute, small and weak. Heart's action regular, but extremely 
hurried and feeble. Temperature in axilla 97° F. There was no involuntary 
discharge of urine or faeces. He was lethargic, but not comatose when first 
a nutted. He was constantly muttering to some person who he thought was 
near mm, and every now and again, a convulsive movement appeared to pass 
t rough and shake him from head to heel. At times he would start suddenly 
ah i impelled by some sudden power over which he evidently had no control. 
t one tune,, whilst seated, he suddenly, as quick as lightning, made a semi¬ 
somersault, pitching head foremost into a bucket which was placed close bv. 
1 rushed towards him fully expecting to find that he was dead, fortunately he 
still breathed, and in a few seconds appeared as before. There was no co-ordi¬ 
nation of movement; he could not walk alone, though strong upon his legs: 
le staggered always with the tendency to fall forward upon his face; imme¬ 
diately preceding the electric-like plunge into the bucket, he put his hand to 
ttie back of his head, and complained of excruciating pain there; shortly after 
this, his pupils became permanently contracted for nearly half an hour, and it 
was with the greatest difficulty that he was kept from falling into a comatose 
S f 6 t f' 6 a< ^mitted ^ 2 a.m., and kept under treatment until 10 a.m., 
when 1 thought him sufficiently recovered to be left alone. 
Treatment.— Shortly after admission his stomach was washed out with a warm 
S ° j 1C j n - sulphate; after this it was injected with hydrate of magnesia sus¬ 
pended in milk, to which was added a little brandy. It was impossible to get 
him to swallow. He was continually being flagellated and trotted about the 
vv lole ength of the hospital by two policemen, who shook him alternately, and 
their most strenuous exertions were at times inefficient to keep him awake. Hot 
?° »\ ven t° Mm frequently, and by 10 a.m. our exertions were rewarded 
by finding him reasonable and collected. 
Such is the history of a genuine and authenticated case of poisoning by chlo- 
rodyne (Dr. Collis Browne’s). It is of interest to the therapeutist, physiologist, 
and toxicologist. If the reader will compare this man’s symptoms with my remarks 
upon the action of belladonna, I am inclined to believe he will come to the same 
conclusion as myself, that this drug plays an important part in this compound. 
Medical Club , Oct. 15, 1869. 
ON EXCIPIENTS FOR PILLS. 
BY T. H. HUSTWICK. 
After reading Mr. Savage’s paper on this subject, I must say I was rather 
astonished at his novel suggestion for making creasote pills, and it occurred to 
me, that a patient taking these wax pills might find it necessary to take a dose 
of turpentine as well, to ensure their solution in the stomach,—neither a very 
pleasant nor practicable idea. It has fallen to my lot to have had considerable 
experience in the making of creasote pills, and I have no hesitation in saying, 
that Mr. Savage’s plau is not the best; which assertion, I think, will be fully 
borne out by my statements. J 
u 2 
