MISCELLANEA. 
311 
mucilage, 1 or 2 drachms, and a little sap green to colour. Writing executed with this 
ink turns black on being passed over a hot Italian iron. Asphaltum, 1 part; oil of 
turpentine, 4 parts; dissolve, and colour with printer’s ink. Very permanent. {From 
Taper Trade Revieiv.)—The Technologist. 
Poisoning by Absorption.—An inquest has been held at Albury on Mary 
Ann Parish, who, according to the evidence, appears to have been poisoned by the 
external application of an ointment containing arsenic. Mr. Chamberlain, of Hert¬ 
ford, the accused, who is said to have been successful in the treatment of cutaneous 
diseases, treated the deceased for what he termed ‘‘ cancer-tumour,” and supplied an 
ointment, with verbal instructions to use “ a very little at a time but it appeared 
to have been used freely twice or three times a day for a fortnight, wdien she became 
very ill, with all the symptoms of poisoning, Mr, Pope, a surgeon, of Tring, was 
called in, who prescribed for the deceased, after which some improvement took place, 
but she subsequently relapsed and died. Professor Taylor deposed that he received 
from the coroner of Hemel Hempstead three boxes, two of wdiich contained oint¬ 
ment and one pills, for analysis. One of the boxes contained a common red ointment 
mixed with red peroxide of mercury. It was similar to an ointment known as the “ red 
iodide of mercury,” It contained only the usual proportion of mercury. It acted as an 
irritant when applied to the skin, and if used for any length of time would produce 
salivation and other symptoms of chronic poisoning by mercury. It was a very useful 
ointment when properly employed ; one of its specific qualities being to remove tumours 
by absorption. The second box contained a dark ointment. Arsenic was the only 
mineral ingredient it contained. Prom the examination of a small quantity, about the 
size of a filbert, w'eighing 19 grains, he obtained two grains and a quarter of arsenic. 
It was w'hite crystallized arsenic. The ointment contained as well some vegetable sub¬ 
stance, which gave to it the colour and smell. There was no ointment like it recognized 
in medical practice. It was a very potent compound of arsenic, and if applied frequently 
to the skin in a broken or diseased condition the arsenic would mo.st likely be absorbed 
into the blood, and cause symptoms of chronic poisoning and death. The pill contained 
antimony, a sulphate of antimony, calomel, a resin called “ guaiacum,” and, in addition 
to these chemicals, a small quantity of Venice turpentine. The pills were a very proper 
medicine for the treatment of skin diseases, or where alterative medicines were required, 
and they corresponded with what was called “Plummer’s pill,” or the compound calomel 
pill of the British Pharmacopceia. The pills and pink ointment were very proper 
things to use. Taking the symptoms and appearances of the deceased, as described by 
Mr. Pope and Mr. Whateley, and the fact that he had discovered arsenic in the brown 
ointment, and that it had been applied by the deceased to the tumour on the shoulder, 
he was of opinion that her death had been caused by the absorption of arsenic. Witness 
went on to say that he had made an examination of the tumour, and found it wns an 
encysted tumour. He found traces of arsenic in it. The stomach was reddened in 
streaks. The liver also contained arsenic, and in his opinion it had been absorbed and 
diffused through the body of the deceased. Arsenic was now used as an internal medi¬ 
cine. It was formerly used for cancer and other skin diseases, but it so frequently de¬ 
stroyed life that the external use had been abandoned by regular medical practitioners. 
The amount absorbed would entirely depend upon the quantity applied, the frequency 
of the application, and the state of the skin. Frequent rubbing in would cause a sorp 
or abrasion of the skin. Witness then said that, taking into consideration the delicate 
state of the deceased’s heaUh, the arsenic would necessarily act more readily. The jury 
retired, and returned a verdict of “ Manslaughter ” against Isaac Chamberlain. The co¬ 
roner accepted bail for the accused’s appearance at the next sessions. 
©liituarg. 
Died, October 4th, at Carhampton, Somerset, Mr. J. P. Watts, Pharmaceutical 
Chemist. 
