POISONING BY ARSENIC USED EXTERNALLY. 
75 
ART. XV.— POISONING BY ARSENIC EMPLOYED EXTER- 
NALLY. 
The Archives Generale de Medicine, in the number for 
June 1836, report (from the Medicinische Annalen von Pu- 
chelt, Chalius und Nargele To. I — N. 3) the following obser- 
vation of Dr. Kuchler : 
The wife of a waterman, aged 68 years, had been for six 
years the subject of a bronchitic affection with viscid mucous 
expectoration which affected her health, without, however, hin- 
dering her from pursuing her occupations. Within the last se- 
ven or eight years, there had developed itself about the centre of 
the right temple, a pustule which, from continual irritation, de- 
generated into a fungous tumor; its growth was so rapid, that 
two years ago she applied for relief. The action of caustic 
caused it to diminish considerably; but finally it acquired 
double its original volume; and discharged when compressed 
a considerable quantity of blood and pus. The strength of the 
patient, her embonpoint, her sleep and appetite diminished to 
an alarming degree. Dr. Kuchler was consulted in November 
1834. The diameter of the tumor was 30 lines, its promi- 
nence was only 2 lines and a half, its consistence soft, analo- 
gous to that of a cauliflower, with irregular edges turned in- 
wards, and at some points embossed; the tumor was not pain- 
ful except when there was a change of temperature. When 
touched there was a discharge of blood and pus. It was 
moveable without adherence, it extended from the external 
margin of the eye to the ear. The surrounding parts were in 
good condition. 
After having successfully combatted the cough, the dysp- 
noea and the expectoration. Dr. Kuchler employed to the tu- 
mor lotions of corrosive sublimate, which diminished the 
purulent and sanguineous discharge. But being desirous of 
effecting a complete cure, he had recourse on the 19th of No- 
vember to the arsenical powder of " frere Gome." He did 
