MISCELLANY. 
265 
iron, in divided doses. The patient recovered. Conclusions, — the iron 
an antidote ; it also produces a brisk catharsis, independent of its counter- 
poison properties. The iron should be freshly prepared. 
In the Journal des Connaisances Medico-chirurgicales for November, 
1835, MM. Bineau and Majeste, of Saumur, attended five little girls, 
who had eaten of cake, containing arsenic, prepared for the purpose of 
destroying rats ; from four to six ounces of iron was given to each child 
with the happiest results. Conclusion, — the hydrated peroxide of iron a 
certain antidote for arsenic. 
Professor Von Specs, of Vienna, has recorded some experiments, in a 
German Journal, which have been transferred to the pages of " Bell's 
Library," for January, 1838. Results satisfactory. 
In Professor Dunglison's " Medical Intelligencer," vol. 2, No. 1, Dr. 
Joseph E. Muse, of Maryland, has published his experiments with iron 
upon a dog. Result unsatisfactory — the animal drugged largely, but 
vomited in the early part of his experiment and recovered. Conclusion, — 
the animal preserved, not by the tritoxide of iron, but by the peculiar anti- 
arsenical properties resident in the animal economy of the dog. 
Dr. Richard H. Thomas, of Baltimore, has published in " Dunglison's 
Intelligencer," vol. 2, No. 8, an account of a case in which he treated an 
individual who by mistake swallowed twenty grains of arsenic, with the 
hydrated iron, followed by magnesia. A perfect cure was effected. It is 
not positively proven that this is a genuine case of poisoning by arsenic, 
but from the facts connected with the case, there is every reason to be- 
lieve that the arsenious acid had been swallowed. 
I have collected some of the above cases from the " British and Foreign 
Medical Review," to which I would refer those who are interested for a 
more enlarged description of the numerous experiments. I have been 
unable to procure but one of the foreign journals to which 1 have referred 
(La Bulletin Generale de Therapeutique), but I have no doubt that the 
translations given by Drs. Forbes and Conolly are faithful. 
EXPERIMENTS BY THE AUTHOR. 
Experiment 1st. Twenty grains of arsenious acid given in clear water 
to a large dog. One hour after, gastric distress ; vomiting and perfect 
recovery. 
Experiment 2d. Same dose given, and cesophagus tied ; death in two 
hours and seven minutes. 
Experiment 3d. Three and a half grains arsenic given to a small dog, 
cesophagus left untied ; in two hours much derangement of stomach, but 
no emesis. Death occurred in four hours and forty-six minutes. 
Experiment 4th. Twenty grains of arsenic given to a dog; cesophagus 
tied. One hour after, one ounce of the hydrated peroxide of iron, mixed 
with a half pint of water, was thrown up the rectum. Death in sixty-six 
hours. 
