There is a singular uncertainty, however, in the action of one or more large doses. Magendie says he has taken two drachms of the tincture, containing about ten grains of iodine, without injury;[342] Dr. Gully, that he has given three times as much daily for some time; Dr. Kennedy, that he gave an average of twelve grains daily in the form of tincture for eighty days without observing any effect at all; and Mr. Delisser, that he has given a patient thirty grains in a day without injury.[343] Dr. Samuel Wright met with the case of an infant, not more than three years old, who took three drachms of the tincture at once, and suffered only from attempts to cough, some retching and much thirst.[344] It further appears that in medicinal doses, such as a quarter of a grain, frequently repeated, it is a dangerous poison, unless its effects are carefully watched. For in consequence of accumulation in the system, or gradually increasing action, it produces when long used some very singular and hazardous symptoms; and like mercury, foxglove, and some other poisons, it may be taken long without effect, and at length begin to operate suddenly. The symptoms which it then occasions are sometimes those of irritation; namely, incessant vomiting and purging, acute pain in the stomach, loaded tongue, rapid and extreme emaciation, violent cramps and small frequent pulse. These symptoms may continue many days, and even when subdued to a certain extent, vomiting and cramps are apt to recur for months after.[345] A fatal case of this form of affection has been related by M. Zink, a Swiss physician. His patient, after taking too large doses of iodine for about a month, was seized with restlessness, burning heat of skin, tremors, palpitation, syncope, excessive thirst, a sense of burning along the gullet, frequent purging of bilious and black stools, priapism, and tremulous pulse. The symptoms of local inflammation went off in a few days; but those of general fever continued; and he died after six weeks’ illness.[346] Another fatal case has been described in Rust’s Journal. The leading symptoms were pain in the region of the liver, loss of appetite, emaciation, quartan fever, diarrhœa, excessive weakness; and after the emaciation was far advanced a hardened liver could be felt. The patient appears to have died of exhaustion.[347] From this case, and another of which the appearances after death will be presently noticed, it is not improbable that iodine possesses the power of inflaming the liver.