356 
MISCELLANY. 
Tox'icologkal effects of Iodide of Lead. — M. Paton, in a note upon iodide 
of lead, states, that iodine forms combinations, of which the soluble ones 
are violent poisons, while those which are insoluble or little soluble, are 
comparatively innocent. Being desirous of knowing to what degree 
iodide of lead possessed toxicological properties, he prepared it himself 
in order to secure its purity ; he then administered twelve grains to a half 
grown cat; four hours afterwards, no sensible effect was produced, when 
he administered twelve grains more; in twelve hours after the adminis- 
tration of this last dose, the animal, without having vomited, appeared 
uneasy, constantly refused nourishment, appeared to suffer in the region 
of the kidneys, and avoided the sitting position; finally, it was seized 
with violent colic, which caused great jactitation, and apparent horrible 
suffering; and death supervened three days after taking the poison. 
The dissection was made twelve hours after, and did not bring to view 
any trace of irritation; the lungs presented a pale rose-like lint; the 
stomach was empty, and contained a lumbricus ; a single external yellow 
spot was seen upon the pylorus ; the intestines were nearly empty, and 
contained three tcenias. 
To see if it were possible to determine the chemical nature of the 
poisoning, he examined the interior of the stomach, but could not detect 
an atom of the poison. He collected the excrements of the animal, and 
the contents of the intestines, which did not manifest the presence of the 
least portion of iodide. He boiled these matters in distilled water, the 
liquid was filtered, then decoloured with carbon, and afforded no change 
of colour by the action of re-agents. He next boiled the residuum on the 
filter in water, acidulated with nitric acid, filtered and added a few drops 
of the solution of chromate of potasssa ; a brown precipitate of chromate 
of lead was formed, mixed with animal substances. The liquid was 
evaporated, and the product of evaporation calcined in a crucible along 
with the residuum left by the water. These calcined matters, brought in 
contact with weak nitric acid, gave rise to an extrication of nitrous gas, 
and the liquid product afforded, with re-agents, all the phenomena ap- 
pertaining to soluble salts of lead. 
Hence, he concludes, that iodide of lead introduced into the stomach 
is partly absorbed, and it is this portion which produces death; that the 
other retained in the intestines can be detected by the afore-mentioned 
means. — Journal de Chemie Medlcale. 
ERRATA. -Page 307, lines 13 and 29, for "FosteiV read Furstev. Page 316, line 22, for 
" Eblina," read Eblana. 
