Mr. Bancks, of Stourbridge, has reported the particulars of a series of
cases of poisoning by the acetate of lead (_Lancet_, 5th May, 1849). It
appears that thirty pounds of this substance were accidentally mixed at
the miller’s with eighty sacks of flour. This was made into bread, from
eating which 500 persons suffered severely. The chief symptoms were a
sense of constriction in the throat and at the pit of the stomach,
crampy pains round the navel, stiffness of the abdominal muscles,
paralysis of the lower extremities, constipation, scanty urine, and the
formation of a deep blue line round the gums. Although in many cases
there was great prostration with other alarming symptoms, yet under the
use of purgatives all recovered. It was noticed that after a temporary
convalescence many of the symptoms returned in an aggravated form
without any apparent cause. Sometimes there has been vomiting and
purging, and there is great prostration, with cramps and convulsions.
_Post-mortem Appearances._—They are not usually very distinct. The
stomach and intestines have been found inflamed, and the surface of the
former softened and, in the case of animals, corroded. There may be no
characteristic signs in chronic poisoning.
SUBACETATE OF LEAD (_Goulard’s Extract_).—This substance is known to
have proved fatal in three or four instances, after having caused great
agony. It is a more powerful poison than the acetate. It is found in the
shops as a whitish-colored liquid.
CARBONATE OF LEAD (_White Lead_, _Ceruse_, _&c._).—This is sold in
heavy white masses, looking like chalk. It is readily acted on by acids,
but is very insoluble in water.
Dr. Snow has reported an instance in which a child ate a portion, about
the size of a marble, mixed up with oil; it died on the fourth day.
Carbonate of lead derives its greatest interest from the chronic form of
poisoning which it produces among white lead manufacturers, painters,
&c., known as “the painters’ colic,” which too often terminates in “lead
palsy.” In these instances the lead finds its way into the system by
absorption from the digestive canal, the lungs, or the skin; producing
its characteristic effects when a sufficient amount has been absorbed.
It is this salt which is formed by the action of air and water upon
lead.
The other preparations of this metal do not require any separate notice.
_Treatment._—The sulphates of soda or magnesia should be freely given
dissolved in water. Milk, or milk and eggs will be useful. If vomiting
is absent, an emetic of sulphate of zinc should be administered, or the
stomach-pump may be advantageously employed.
For a chemical antidote in poisoning by carbonate of lead Dr. Taylor
recommends a mixture of vinegar and sulphate of magnesia.
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