342 SELECTED ARTICLES. 
depth. These sores healed up in a few days by granulations 
from their bases. On the contrary, if we apply a weaker so- 
lution, (ten grains to the ounce,) to a blistered surface, it pro- 
duces an acute burning pain, the true skin will afterwards be 
found inflamed, but no lesion will have taken place. With 
these facts before us, it would seem proper in all cases where 
a saturated solution has been swallowed, to give a quantity of 
water sufficient to dilute the solution contained in the stomach, 
to such an extent as to destroy its caustic action, which, if not 
instantly arrested, must render death inevitable. By adopting 
this course we should prevent the direct caustic effect of the 
solution, we have time to procure the antidote, which should 
be given in all cases so soon as it can be obtained, and in the 
after treatment we should have simple inflammation, instead 
of death, of the mucous coat of the stomach to contend with. 
We must recollect, however, that the mercurial solution is 
rendered more slow, but not less certain in its fatal effect, by 
dilution; no time is therefore to be lost in decomposing it. 
A gentleman, at one of our principal hotels, ordered a glass of 
cider, in the act of swallowing the first mouthful of which, he 
thing for nettle rash, (urticaria.) The doctor examined the eruption very 
carefully, and came to the conclusion that cream of tartar was the remedy, 
and forthwith prepared the dose. The old lady was loath — instinctively, 
perhaps — to take any thing internally, and said she would perfer some ex- 
ternal application : the doctor persisted, however, that he had hit on the 
proper remedy, and in order to overcome the objections of his patient, 
took half the dose himself, declaring, at the same time, that it was not un- 
pleasant to the taste ; which argument proved irresistible, and his patient 
swallowed the other half, and then took a seat, whether for the purpose of 
ascertaining before she left the shop that she had not taken poison, or from 
an indisposition to move, we cannot say. Meanwhile, the doctor, delight- 
ed at his prowess, related most eloquently other instances of his success, 
and doubtless thought this last act ominous of a brilliant reputation. He 
was interrupted, however, by violent sick stomach, which his patient 
began also to experience. Great consternation arose, and a medical gen- 
tleman was sent for, who found, on his arrival, that the modern iEsculapius 
had given, by mistake, tartar emetic instead of cream of tartar. The truth 
of this incredible performance is attested by the respectable medical wit- 
ness who was sent for at the time. Wherein is the utility of laws prohi- 
