Treatise on Poisons: In relation to medical jurisprudence, physiology, and the practice of physicChristison, Robert, Sir
Science
Treatise on Poisons: In relation to medical jurisprudence, physiology, and the practice of physic
Christison, Robert, Sir
Medical jurisprudence; Toxicology
It is difficult to arrive at any satisfactory conclusions from these
statements as to the nature and energy of the action of this salt as a
poison. But on the whole it appears to be not in general very active;
and the few instances of unusual activity which have occurred may
probably be put to the account of idiosyncrasy. The most remarkable of
its idiosyncratic effects from medicinal doses are salivation, and a
series of symptoms which imitate sometimes catarrh, and sometimes a cold
in the head. I do not know any facts to warrant the general statement of
M. Devergie that 18 or 30 grains may constitute a fatal dose.[366] The
present question is far from being unimportant in a medico-legal point
of view. Mr. A. Taylor mentions the heads of a case, very dubious
however in its nature, where it was suspected that a single dose of six
grains of iodide of potassium had been the occasion of death.[367]
It is important to remember in medico-legal researches, that iodide of
potassium may be detected in the blood, liver, spleen, muscles, urine,
and other textures and secretions; and especially that it may be found
in the urine, when it may no longer exist in the alimentary canal or in
vomited matters. These interesting facts have been clearly proved by the
researches of Wöhler,[368] Stehberger,[369] O’Shaughnessey,[370] and Dr.
Cogswell.[371]
_Of Poisoning with Bromine._—This singular substance is not an object of
much interest in relation to medical jurisprudence, because it is rare,
and only to be met with in the laboratory of the chemist. Hence,
although it appears to be a poison of some activity, it scarcely
requires to be dwelt on particularly.
It is easily known from all other substances by its fluidity, its great
density, which is thrice as great as that of water, its reddish-brown
colour by reflected, and blood-red colour by transmitted light, the
orange fumes which occupy the upper part of a bottle partly filled with
it, and its intensely acrid suffocating vapour, which is so irritating
that an incautious inhalation is followed by all the phenomena of severe
coryza and catarrh. Its odour, however, apart from its acridity, is very
far from being so disagreeable as its discoverer in naming it seems to
have imagined. In its properties it bears a close resemblance to
chlorine and iodine.
The toxicological effects and medico-legal relations of bromine have
been examined by M. Barthez,[372] Dr. Butske,[373] Dr. Dieffenbach,[374]
and Dr. M. Glover.[375]
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