ETHYLIC ALCOHOL. 
§§ 161-164.] 
145 
case it may be considered only a flavouring agent. There is a homoeopathic solution 
of camphor in spirit (Rubini’s essence of camphor). The solution is made by saturat¬ 
ing alcohol with camphor; it is, therefore, very strong—about half the bulk consist¬ 
ing of camphor. Camphor is used in veterinary medicine, both externally and 
internally. 
§ 161. Symptoms. —Camphor acts energetically on the brain and nervous system, 
especially if it is given in strong alcoholic solution, and thus placed under conditions 
favouring absorption. Some years ago, Dr G. Johnson 1 published a series of cases 
arising from the injudicious use of “ homoeopathic solution of camphor,” from 7 to 
40 drops of Rubini’s homoeopathic camphor taken for colds, sore throats, etc., having 
produced coma, foaming at the mouth, convulsions, and partial paralysis. All the 
patients recovered, but their condition was for a little time alarming. 
The cases of fatal poisoning by camphor are rare. A woman, aged 46, pregnant 
four months, took 12 grms. (about 184 grains) in a glass of brandy for the purpose 
of procuring abortion. In a very short time the symptoms commenced ; she had 
intolerable headache, the face was flushed, and there was a sensation of burning in 
the stomach. In eight hours after taking the dose she had strangury and vomiting, 
and the pain in the epigastrium was intense. These symptoms continued with more 
or less severity until the third day, when she became much worse. Her face was 
pale and livid, the eyes hollow, the skin cold and insensible, pulse weak and thready, 
breathing laboured. There were violent cramps in the stomach and retention of urine 
for twenty-four hours, and then coma. The patient lingered on yet another three 
days, aborted, and died . 2 
Dr Schaaf 3 has recorded three cases of poisoning—one of which was fatal. A 
woman gave about half a teaspoonful of a camphor solution to each of her three 
children, the ages being respectively 5 and 3 years, and 15 months. The symptoms 
noted were pallor of the face, a burning pain in the throat, thirst, vomiting, purging, 
convulsions, and afterwards coma. The youngest child died in seven hours ; the 
others recovered. The smallest dose known to have produced violent symptoms in 
an adult person is 1-3 grm. (20 grains) ; the largest dose known to have been re¬ 
covered from is 10-4 grms. (160 grains ). 4 
§ 162. Post-mortem Appearances. —The bodies of animals or persons dying from 
poisoning by camphor, smell strongly of the substance. The mucous membrane of 
the stomach has been found inflamed, but there seem to be no characteristic lesions. 
§ 163. Separation of Camphor from the Contents of the Stomach. —Theidentifica 
tion of camphor would probably in no case present any difficulty. It may be readily 
dissolved out from organic fluids by chloroform. If dissolved in fixed oils, enough 
for the purposes of identification may be obtained by simple distillation. It is preci¬ 
pitated from its alcoholic solution by the addition of water. 
III.—Alcohols. 
1. ETHYLIC ALCOHOL. 
§ 164. The chemical properties of ordinary alcohol are fully de¬ 
scribed, with the appropriate tests, in Foods , pp. 379-398, and the 
reader is also referred to the same volume for the composition and 
strength of the various alcoholic drinks. 
Statistics. —If we were to include in one list the deaths indirectly 
due to chronic as well as acute poisoning by alcohol, it would stand 
1 Brit. Med. Journ., Fob. 27, 1878, p. 272 ; see also ibid., Fob. 1875. 
2 Journ. de Chim. Med., May 1860. 
3 Ibid., 1850, p. 507. 
4 Taylor on Poisons, 3rd ed., 661. 
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