_Symptoms._--The vapour may cause death by producing inflammation of the larynx and lungs. The symptoms to which it gives rise are a feeling of choking, and a suspension of the power of breathing. Intense heat and pain are felt in the throat, which may remain for some time. When ammonia is swallowed in solution, the symptoms produced are not unlike those the result of the action of soda or potash, only more intense. Dr. Patterson records the history of a case of a poor man who drank about an ounce of the liquid ammonia. When seen, his lips were livid, breathing stridulous, aspect anxious, extremities cold, pulse 100; inside of mouth, tongue, fauces, as far as visible, red, raw, and fiery-looking. He died suddenly, nineteen days after the accident, of laryngeal spasm. Albuminuria occurred in one case. The _post-mortem_ appearances are those found in most cases of poisoning by corrosives. _Chemical Analysis._--Ammonia can be separated from organic mixture by distillation. Putrefaction must not have taken place. The vapour of ammonia is easily set free and recognised by its pungent odour. The carbonate effervesces when an acid is added to it, and gives a white precipitate with salts of lime. Dense white fumes are given off in the presence of hydrochloric acid. Nessler‘s reagent gives a reddish-brown colour or precipitate. _Fatal Period._--Death has been known to occur in _four minutes_, but life may be prolonged for some time, the person dying of some thoracic trouble. _Fatal Dose._--A teaspoonful of the strong solution. _Treatment._--Vinegar and water, lime-juice and oil, and leeches to the throat if the inflammatory symptoms be severe. The rest of the treatment will depend upon the symptoms present. Tracheotomy may be necessary. CAUSTIC SALTS CHLORIDE OF ANTIMONY Chloride of antimony (butter of antimony) is a corrosive liquid. The colour varies from a light yellow to a dark red. Though a powerful poison, it is seldom taken for that purpose. It has been taken by mistake for ginger beer. On the addition of water, the white oxychloride is precipitated. _Symptoms._--The symptoms produced by swallowing this substance are those of corrosive poisoning. The mouth and throat are excoriated, the skin cold and clammy, and the pulse feeble and quick. Severe pain is felt in the stomach, and vomiting is incessant. _Post-mortem Appearances._--Those found after corrosive poisoning. _Chemical Analysis._--When poured into water, the chloride is precipitated; the precipitate, soluble in tartaric acid, becomes orange-red on the addition of hydrogen sulphide. The supernatant liquid will give a white precipitate with nitrate of silver, showing the presence of hydrochloric acid. The salts of bismuth are precipitated by the addition of water, but the precipitate is, unlike the antimonial, insoluble in tartaric acid, and is blackened by hydrogen sulphide.