PERMANENCE OP POISONS. 
393 
much thickness of tissue—in fact, in those cases where 
the solid nitrate of silver or the acid nitrate of mercury 
is generally used. The acid nitrate of silver is, how¬ 
ever, superior to the simple nitrate, as it penetrates much 
better into interstices, and as its action may at will be made 
superficial or deep (the difference depending on the longer or 
shorter contact). It is also preferable to the acid nitrate of mer¬ 
cury, because it produces no toxic effects, and never gives rise 
to alarming symptoms, however extensive the surface may be 
with which it is brought in contact. Nor can it excite sali¬ 
vation. Its action can, moreover, be at once stopped when 
the vagina, the mouth, or the eye is operated upon, as an 
injection of a solution of common salt will immediately render 
it inert. Chancres, simple or sloughing ulcers, hospital gan¬ 
grene, lupus, epithelial cancer, &c., can be treated with this 
caustic solution. It may be prepared either from the simple 
nitrate or from metallic silver. To obtain it from the lunar 
salt, it will be sufficient to add eight times by weight of nitric 
acid, at 33°, to the nitrate of silver, and expose to heat in a 
stoppered bottle. With metallic silver, ten times the weight 
of nitric acid, at 33°, should be poured on the metal, and a 
gentle heat be used .—The Lancet . 
PERMANENCE OE POISONS. 
% 
The chemical and juridical relations of nicotine acquired a 
painful interest some years ago in the well-known Bocarme 
case, in which the Count and Countess Bocarme were con¬ 
victed of having forcibly administered this poison to M. Foug- 
nies, the countess’s brother, while he was dining with them 
at the Chateau of Bitremont. Al. Melsens has recently 
proved by a series of experiments, that it can be chemically 
detected in the human body long after death. The tongues 
of two dogs that had been subjected to some of the ex¬ 
periments, conducted on the occasion of that trial, had been 
thrown into a trough in one of the chambers of the Veterinary 
School at Brussels. In 1833, this chamber was flooded, and 
the water penetrated into the vessel, which had been im¬ 
perfectly closed. In 1838, M. Melsens analysed the contents 
of the vessel, and discovered traces of nicotine in it. In like 
manner he has been enabled to detect nicotine in other organs 
which had been removed from animals poisoned by this 
alkaloid, and which had been left purposely to putrefy. The 
process of putrefaction is insufficient to decompose nicotine, 
as it is to destroy strychnine. Both alike defy for long the 
destructive influence of the tomb, and remain to testify 
against crime, and bear witness against the murderer.— Ibid „ 
xxxii. 32 
