BOERHAAVE gives us the following definition. “_Venenum dico omne illud quod ingestum vel applicatum corpori, talem in corpore humano mutationem excitat, quæ per ipsam eam mutationem non superatur. Medicamentum præterea in eo differt, quod ipsa, quam facit mutatio, in sanitatem tendat, venenum vero corpus mutat, ut ex sano ægrum fiat, aut cadaver._” (Prælect. Acad. T. vi, p. 283.) HOFFMANN has furnished us with a definition less exceptionable than the foregoing, but still inferior to that of _Gmelin_. “_Alit natura res, quæ exigua mole et summa partium tenuitate, brevi tempore, concentum atque ordinem motuum vitalium pervertunt, vel plane destruunt; et hæ vocari solent Venena._” (M.R.S.T. II. p. 88.) Footnote 135: We have adopted this term, as one that has been in previous use, although we are by no means satisfied that a more expressive word might not be found. Footnote 136: This case is detailed in his ‘Pharmacologia,’ under the article _Cupri Sulphas_. Footnote 137: See an interesting paper by Dr. _Marcet_, in the 12th volume of the Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, entitled, “_Account of a man who lived ten years after having swallowed a number of clasp knives._” Footnote 138: In the reign of LOUIS XIV, _Henrietta_, Duchess of Orleans, is said to have been poisoned by diamond-dust mixed with powdered sugar. The same substance is enumerated among other extraordinary poisons, as having been administered in the case of _Sir Thomas Overbury_. Footnote 139: Old women in the country recommend the same remedy for the destruction of worms; probably the medicine and the poison may be equally effective. Footnote 140: Saggi Scientif. e letter dell’ Accademia di Padova. T. III. p. 11, p. 1. Footnote 141: Chylologia. Footnote 142: De Venenis. Footnote 143: Comment. super Homicid. p. 177. Footnote 144: Ratio Medendi. Part VI, p. 60. Footnote 145: Hist. General de Venenis Mineral. Footnote 146: Med. Leg. Tom. II. p. 170. Footnote 147: Tom. II. p. 346. Footnote 148: Man. de Toxicol. Footnote 149: Fragmenta Chirurg. et Med. p. 66. Footnote 150: Pharmacologia, Edit. v. vol. I. p. 324. Footnote 151: See Medical Facts and Observations, Vol. v. Footnote 152: See M. _Pouqueville’s_ “Voyage de Morée,” also Mr. _Thornton’s_ Travels; and Notes to Lord _Byron’s_ Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage. Footnote 153: M. R. S. T. iv. Part iii, p. 278. Footnote 154: