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DANGEROUS EXPLOSIVE AGENTS. 
The numerous accidents arising from want of care in the use of explosive materials 
seem to demand the special attention of those engaged in their manufacture and appli¬ 
cation. Besides the disastrous explosions of what is called “ petroleum spirit,” several 
minor accidents may be recorded. On Saturday, October 9th, a fire occurred at Mr. 
Hooper’s, Chemist, Russell Street, Covent Garden; which was subdued before much injury 
was done. It was caused by the vapour of spirit of wine coming in contact with a gas 
light.—On the same day another tire, at Messrs. Hawkes and Co., army accoutrement 
makers, Piccadilly, was caused by the boiling over of spirit of turpentine ; in this case 
one of the workmen was badly burned, and much destruction of property was the re¬ 
sult.—A third fire is reported at Dockhead, occasioned by the accidental ignition of 
lucifer matches. 
CASES OF POISONING—ACCIDENTAL AND CRIMINAL. 
Deaths from Chloroform. —A case is recorded of a man, aged 50, at the North 
Staffordshire Infirmary, Hanly, to whom, previous to an important operation, 15 to 20 
drops of chloroform was administered on lint. The patient had inhaled the chloroform 
3 or 4 minutes, when the pulse suddenly stopped, and the man ceased to live. 
At the Charing Cross Hospital, an inquest was held by Mr. Langham, to inquire into 
the case of Mr. Charles Verner, aged 39, an actor, who died under the administration of 
chloroform,* previous to undergoing an operation for diseased jaw-bone. The chloroform 
was given at the request of the patient, who had been told by the medical officers that 
great danger would attend the administration of chloroform. The sufferings he had 
endured were so great that he was prepared to take the risk. The jury found “that the 
deceased lost his life by the administration of chloroform, but that the chloroform had 
been skilfully and properly administered.” 
Several other cases have been reported lately, in nearly all of which a diseased state 
of the heart was found on examination. 
Alleged Poisoning by Hair-Dye. —Dr. Witherwax, of Iowa, died with peculiar 
and obscure symptoms. The Scott County Medical Society appointed a Committee to 
investigate the causes which led to his death, it having been surmised that he died from 
the effects of lead poison. The Committee, in their report, unanimously concur in the 
opinion that the poison was introduced into the system through the use of hair-dress¬ 
ing or dye, which dressing had been used by Dr. Witherwax almost daily for four years. 
Four separate analyses of the liver, and one of the kidneys, showed the presence of lead 
in these organs. 
Attempted Suicide by Sugar of Lead. —A man was found in the City Road 
suffering from the effects of poison. He was removed to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, 
where emetics w r ere administered with success. It appeared that the man had obtained 
medicine at the Hospital, and -was supplied with a lotion containing sugar of lead, for 
an injury to the shoulder, some of which he had swallowed, in consequence, as he 
alleged, of being in a very depressed state of mind. 
MISCELLANEA. 
Opium in China. —It appears from this year’s consular reports from China that 
the consumption of opium in that empire is increasing, and that there is an increased 
growth of opium in China itself. Early in the year, an Imperial decree was issued 
strictly prohibiting the cultivation of the poppy plant in the Chinese empire, and 
alleging that there w r ould be danger of its interfering with the growth of food and 
causing a scarcity of the means of subsistence; the apprehension of loss of tariff-duty 
by a lessened importation of Indian opium may, perhaps, have been an influential 
* In this case bichloride of methylenewas used. 
