320 
GLEANINGS— TOXICOLOGIC  AL. 
after  very  violent  symptoms  in  the  son,  involving  the  eyes  and 
brain,  and  less  marked  in  the  parent,  both  recovered.  About 
2  oz.  of  root  was  decocted. — Pharm.  Journ.,  May. 
Poisoning  by  Strychnia. — Recovery  Dr.  Hodgetts,  of  West 
Bromwich,  Canada,  describes  a  case  of  accidental  poisoning  by 
strychnia.  A.  policeman  took  four  grains  of  strychnia,  used  by 
him  for  killing  dogs,  instead  of  an  opiate  powder.  He  imme- 
diately discovered  his  mistake,  ran  to  a  physician  and  procured 
an  emetic.  Dr.  Bly  arrived  in  20  minutes,  two  other  emetics 
having  been  given  meanwhile  without  effect.  The  Doctor  found 
the  patient  in  violent  tetanic  spasms  and  his  jaws  firmly  locked, 
with  inability  to  swallow.  Dr.  Bly  applied  chloroform,  which 
relieved  the  spasms  in  three  minutes  and  stopped  them  com- 
pletely in  ten  minutes,  when  a  third  powerful  emetic  was  given 
which  vomited  in  ten  minutes  after.  Kepeated  quantities  of 
warm  water  were  given  and  thrown  off  the  stomach  until  all 
the  poison  remaining  in  that  organ  was  removed.  The  spas- 
modic symptoms  were  controlled  by  the  chloroform  administered 
at  intervals,  until  they  ceased  and  the  patient  was  out  of 
danger.  The  patient  retained  his  consciousness  throughout, 
and  in  twenty-four  hours  was  pretty  well  recovered. — Ibid. 
Poisoning  by  Sulphate  of  Potassa. — Elizabeth  Gaylor,  aged 
30  years,  died  from  the  effects  of  a  large  quantity  of  sulphate  of 
potassa,  purchased  by  the  husband  at  the  wife's  request,  as  he 
alleges-  Dr.  Letheby  analyzed  the  contents  of  the  stomach 
and  found  sulphate  of  potassa  in  it,  and  from  other  circumstances 
and  evidence  believed  deceased  had  taken  an  ounce  and  a  half. 
The  jury  returned  a  verdict  of  wilful  murder  against  William 
Gaylor,  who  was  committed. 
Poisoning  by  Opium. — A  man  named  Bury  was  committed 
for  trial  at  Worcester,  for  poisoning  three  witnesses  by  mixing 
opium  in  the  beer  with  which  he  treated  them.  A  timely  use  of 
emetics  saved  them  from  its  ill  effects. 
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