646 poisons: their effects and detection. [§§ 821 , 822 . 
Lead was discovered in most of the viscera, which were in great 
part normal ; but the kidneys were wasted, and the mucous membrane 
blackened. The actual quantity of lead recovered by analysis was small, 
viz. 16-2 mgrms. (J grain) from the liver ; from 8 ounces of brain, 
3-2 mgrms. ( 2 V grain) ; from half of the stomach, 16-2 mgrms. (J grain) ; 
and from the spleen, the kidneys, and the lungs, small quantities. It is 
therefore probable that, if the whole body had been operated upon, the 
yield would have been more than -15 grm. (a little over 2 grains) ; but 
then it must be remembered that the deceased lived at least seventeen 
days after the last dose. 
§ 821. Post-mortem Appearances. —In acute cases of poisoning by 
the acetate, there may sometimes be found a slight inflammatory appear¬ 
ance of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. Orfila 
considered that streaks of white points adherent to the mucous membrane 
were pathognomonic ; but there have been several cases in which only 
negative or doubtful signs of inflammatory or other action have presented 
themselves. A general contraction of the intestines has often been 
noticed, and is of considerable significance when present ; so also are 
slaty patches on the intestinal mucous membrane ; in the Plumstead 
case Dr Stevenson found such patches contained lead, hence they are 
probably caused by the deposition of lead sulphide. Loen found in dogs 
and guinea-pigs, poisoned by lead, local inflammation areas in the lungs, 
liver, and kidneys, but in no case fatty degeneration of the epithelial 
cells of the liver, kidneys, or intestines. As a rule, no unabsorbed 
poison will be found in the stomach ; the case related by Christison, in 
which a person died on the third day after taking at a single dose some 
large quantity of acetate of lead—and at the autopsy a fluid was 
obtained from the stomach which had a sweet metallic taste, on 
evaporation smelt of acetic acid, and from which metallic lead was 
obtained—is so very extraordinary in every respect, that its entire 
accuracy is to be questioned. In death from chronic lead-poisoning, 
there is but little that can be called diagnostic ; a granular condition of 
the kidneys, and all the pathological changes dependent on such a con¬ 
dition, are most frequently seen. If the patient has suffered from colic, 
a constriction of portions of the intestine has been noticed ; also, in cases 
in which there has been long-standing paralysis of groups of muscles, 
these muscles are wasted, and possibly degenerated. In instances, again, 
in which lead has induced gout, the pathological changes dependent upon 
gout will be prominent. The blue line around the gums, and sometimes 
a coloration by sulphide of lead of portions of the intestines, may help a 
proper interpretation of the appearances seen after death ; but all who 
have given any attention to the subject will agree that, simply from 
pathological evidence, it is impossible to diagnose chronic lead-poisoning. 
§ 822. Physiological Action of Lead.— The action of lead is still 
