Thomson's Conspectus of the British pharmacopoeias.

  • Anthony Todd Thomson
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Thomson's Conspectus of the British pharmacopoeias. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    218/248 page 190
    NITRIC ACID, NITROUS ACID — AQUAFORTIS, (Acidum Ni- tricum, Nitrosum, P. E.) Corrosive mineral poison. Symptoms. Sensation of burning in the throat, oesophagus, and stomach; excessive vomiting, and almost immediate death, if the acid be st»ong, and the dose large; but if it be weak, the patient may linger for a considerable time, in which case he vomits at intervals shreds of membrane, which have an insupportable foetor; the constipation of the bowels is the most obstinate; and when dejections are obtained, they are attended with excruciating torture. Morbid Appearances. When death has quickly taken place, the most characteristic feature displayed on dissection is a layer of yellow matter, which covers the mucous membrane of the oesophagus, the stomach, and every part over which the poison has passed. This membrane is also converted into a fatty substance, and the stomach is oi'ten found perforated. The lips, the chin, and the hands of the patient are also stained with orange-coloured spots. Tests. Boil the fluid, if any remain unswallowed, over copper filings, when orange-coloured fumes will be extricated if nitric acid be pre- sent. Add morphia, which will be reddened, or add carbonate of potassa, which will form a deflagrating salt, if the acid is the nitric. In a diluted state this acid blackens the solution of protosulphate of iron. When none of the poison remains, and death has taken place, saturate the contents of the stomach with bicarbonate of potassa; evaporate the filtered solution to dryness, add to the residue copper filings and sulphuric acid, and receive the fumes on morphia, or a solution of protosulphate of iron ; redness in the former and dark olive in the latter prove the presence of nitric acid. Treatment. Give large doses of a solution of soap, or a mixture of calcined magnesia in water or any bland fluid. Then evacuate the stomach by large draughts of demulcent fluids ; and bleed, purge, and employ other antiphlogistic measures, if the symptoms indicate in- flammation. NUX VOMICA, (Strychnos nux vomica, fructus.) An acro-narcotic vegetable poison. Symptoms. Sensations of inebriety; vertigo; tetanic twitchings, and rigidity of the limbs and arms, alternating vvitli subsultus tendinum ; extreme difficulty of respiration, with excruciating pain under the xiphoid cartilage; asphyxia: and death. Morbid Appearances. Scarcely any evidences of membranous inflam- mation in the stomach or intestines: the lungs appear natural; but the left ventricle of the heart is generally gorged with blood, and the whole of the arteries contracted. It is supposed that this poison acts chiefly on the medulla spinalis. Test. Powder grey, inodorous, very bitter; gives an orange-yellow colour to nitric acid. Digest in alcohol and evaporate; take up the extract with water acidulated with sulphuric acid; then boil with a slight excess of lime; wash the precipitate and act upon it with boiling alcohol, leave to spontaneous evaporation, and test the residue as for strychnia. Treatment. Evacuate the stomach and bowels, and then dilute freely with vinegar and water, and other acidulous drinks. OPIUM. (Opium.) A narcotic vegetable poison. Symptoms. Drowsiness and stupor, which are followed by delirium, pallid countenance, sighing, deep and stertorous breathing, cold sweats, coma, and death. Morbid Appearances. Slight redness of the stomach and intestines; but there are no evidences of an inflammatory state of the brain or its membranes. Test. Wash the contents of the stomach and intestines in distilled vinegar, and strain; then test a portion with acidulated persulphate of iron to detect meconic acid, which gives it a cherry red colour. To another portion add solution of acetate of lead, and separate the pre-
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