POISONING BY ARNICA LINIMENT. 
* K K 
o55 
readers will like to be informed that “ the taste of senna may be concealed by sweeten¬ 
ing the infusion, adding milk, and drinking as ordinary tea, which, when thus prepared, 
it much resembles.” 
The alphabetical arrangement, which extends over 740 pages, is followed by a Second 
Part, comprising 120 pages, treating of medicinal agents and classes of medicines. This 
is succeeded by a most useful Index of Diseases, in which, under each disease, a list of 
the remedies treated of in the volume, and a reference thereto, is given. The whole is 
concluded by an Index of the Medicines, etc., which have been described. 
Upon a general glance at the volume, we think that the information it contains 
may be generally relied upon, but we have detected some errors. Thus, amongst 
others, the “Guaco,” described as being recommended by Dr. Pritchard in Gout, is said 
to be derived from Mikania Guaco , H. et B., Nat. Ord. Asteracese, instead of from a 
species of Aristolochia; Mezereon of the British Pharmacopoeia is said to be obtained 
soldi/ from Daphne Mezereum, which plant is also called Spurge Laurel; Piper nigrum 
is said to be chiefly imported from the West Indies; the root of Inula Helenium is stated 
to be officinal, and its therapeutic uses to be similar, but inferior, to Gentian ; Lavandula 
vera, Lavandula Spica, and Lavandula angustifolia, are all grouped together, and receive 
the name of Common Lavender. After speaking of Sarsaparilla, it is stated that the 
above remarks apply not only to the ordinary Sarsaparilla (, Smilax Sar saparilla ), but to 
the other species which are occasionally employed. Again, we ask upon what authority 
does Mr. Waring spell Artemisia Artemesia, and Csesalpinia Cassalpina? We notice 
these words, because it is evident, from their frequent occurrence, that such modes of 
spelling are regarded as correct. 
Although in our position of reviewer w r e have noticed some inaccuracies, etc., in the 
volume, we regard the work generally as a very useful compilation, and one which reflects 
much credit upon the author. It is from its very nature and arrangement less adapted 
to the student than to the practitioner, but to the latter, especially if he be going abroad, 
it will be found a valuable volume, and to the Indian practitioner almost indispensable. 
Accidental Poisoning by Arnica Xainiment.—Aninquestwas held at the Swan 
Hotel, Alton, on Tuesday, March 14th,before Mr. J. R. Trodd, county coroner for Hants, on 
the body of Mr. William Madgwick, for many years the manager of the above-men¬ 
tioned hotel, who met with his death under the following very distressing circumstances: 
—The deceased gentleman, who it appears was suffering from a slight attack of chronic 
rheumatism, retired to rest about ten o’clock on the evening of Saturday, the 11th inst.. 
previous to which he procured an arnica liniment, which appears to have been com¬ 
posed of three drachms of tincture of arnica, two drachms of tincture of opium and 
seven drachms of compound camphor liniment, to apply externally to the parts affected 
by the rheumatism. This liniment he had been in the habit of using in a similar 
manner when suffering from rheumatism for the last six years. He also procured 
a pill and black draught, and on retiring he took the pill and intended to have taken 
the draught on the following morning. Both the draught and liniment were placed 
on a dressing-table in his bedroom in two small phials, which, although received from 
different chemists, were of the same size and shape, and the contents of both nearly 
of the same colour. About 6 o’clock on the following (Sunday) morning, an attendant 
who slept in the next room to the deceased had her attention called to him by his 
knocking, as if in need of assistance. She went to him, and on entering his room found 
him sitting, partly dressed, by the side of his bed, and he informed her that he had 
swallowed the liniment by mistake, instead of the black draught, and that on discovering 
what he had done he had afterwards taken the draught. She instantly informed the 
housekeeper what had happened, and Dr. Leslie was immediately sent for, who promptly 
attended and found the deceased suffering from constriction of the throat, and ex¬ 
periencing great difficulty in breathing. The most energetic measures were immediately 
taken by Dr. Leslie to allay the effects of the poison ; strong emetics were administered, 
the stomach pump was applied, and the whole contents of the stomach removed, but 
the efforts were unsuccessful, the active principles of the arnica, according to the me¬ 
dical evidence, having been rapidly absorbed, causing spasm of the glottis, and death 
from asphyxia. The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death,” and recommended 
