86 
MISCELLANY. 
The medical treatment of cases of poisoning, as well as those of sus- 
pended animation from drowning and other causes, belongs undoubtedly 
to the medical practitioner; but as in the one case no less than in the 
other, the success of any remedial means depends in a great measure up- 
on the promptness with which they are adopted, it is perfectly justifia- 
ble, in the absence of a medical man, for others possessing the requisite 
knowledge to act until medical advice is obtained. In the case of poisoning, 
the public, under such circumstances, naturally look to the Chemist, 
from his presumed acquaintance with the properties of drugs, and his 
knowledge of Chemistry, which science must regulate the treatment ; and 
it is consistent and proper that he should be enabled to administer an an- 
tidote on such an emergency, as that persons possessing no medical'quali- 
fication should, in the other case, be armed with the means of restoring 
suspended animation. 
Beyond this we should, of course, deprecate the interference of the 
Chemist in the medical treatment of cases of poisoning. He will fre- 
quently, however, be enabled to render efficient assistance to the Physi- 
cian or Surgeon, in determining the nature of the poisonous substance 
present, and as it seems desirable in these cases to bring as great an 
amount as possible of chemical as well as medical knowledge to bear up- 
on them, the joint labor of the two may often be more successfully be- 
stowed than either separately. 
But there is yet another branch of Toxicology, no less important than 
those already adverted to, and having especial relation to the fulfilment 
of the ends of justice. We mean the detection of poison in the subject 
after death. Deep, indeed, is the responsibility which those incur who, 
in cases where other evidence is doubtful or wholly wanting, undertake 
the duty of determining the cause of death, and thereby perhaps fixing 
upon a fellow-being the stigma of guilt, for which his life will be sacri- 
ficed. There are few, it is presumed, who would not gladly shrink from 
so erroneous a task, yet the 'welfare of society demands that it should 
be performed, and performed by those whose education, experience, and 
general knowledge, shall enable them most efficiently to execute it. 
The detection and determination of poisonous matter is a purely chemi- 
cal process. It requires an intimate acquaintance with the principles of 
Chemistry, and a practical experience in the manipulations of the labora- 
tory ; in the absence of which, no man, however eminent in other re- 
spects, would be competent to undertake so delicate an operation. There 
are few, indeed, in the present day among us, who, without much pre- 
vious study, and a lengthened practical ordeal, would presume to embark 
in this difficult department. Yet we can but consider, that being strictly 
a branch of chemical science, requiring a practical acquaintance with che- 
mical agents and chemical manipulations, and the devotion of uninterrupt- 
