The vulgar notion, that every poison is cured by some counter-poison, as a specific, has done much hurt. People believe they can do nothing for the patient, unless they know the particular antidote to that kind of poison which he has taken. Whereas the cure of all poisons taken into the stomach, without exception, depends chiefly on discharging them as soon as possible. There is no case wherein the indications of cure are more obvious. Poison is seldom long in the stomach before it occasions sickness, with an inclination to vomit. This shews plainly what ought to be done. Indeed common sense dictates to every one, that, if any thing has been taken into the stomach which endangers life, it ought immediately to be discharged. Were this duly regarded, the danger arising from poisons might generally be avoided. The method of prevention is obvious, and the means are in the hands of every one. We shall not take up the reader’s time with a detail of the ridiculous notions which have prevailed among ignorant people in different ages with regard to poisons; neither shall we mention the boasted antidotes, which have been recommended either for preventing or obviating their effects; but shall content ourselves with pointing out the poisons most common in this country, and the means of avoiding their dangerous consequences. Poisons either belong to the mineral, the vegetable, or the animal kingdom. Mineral poisons are commonly of an acrid or corrosive quality; as arsenic, cobalt, the corrosive sublimate of mercury, &c. Those of the vegetable kind are generally of a narcotic or stupefactive quality; as poppy, hemlock, henbane, berries of the deadly night-shade, &c. Poisonous animals communicate their infection either by the bite or sting. This poison is very different from the former, and only produces its effects when received into the body by a wound. MINERAL POISONS.——Arsenic is the most common of this class; and, as the whole of them are pretty similar both in their effects and method of cure, what is said with respect to it will be applicable to every other species of corrosive poison. When a person has taken arsenic, he soon perceives a burning heat, and a violent pricking pain in his stomach and bowels, with an intolerable thirst, and an inclination to vomit. The tongue and throat feel rough and dry; and, if proper means be not soon administered, the patient is seized with great anxiety, hiccuping, faintings, and coldness of the extremities. To these succeed black vomits, fœtid stools, with a mortification of the stomach and intestines, which are the immediate forerunners of death.