Thomson's Conspectus of the British pharmacopoeias.

Anthony Todd Thomson

Date:: 1852

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

219/248 page 191

$cipitate by filtration; wash it well, then extend it in water, and p^ss through it a stream of sulphuretted hydrogen ; heat it to drive off any excess of the gas, and test the fluid with acidulated persulphate of iron. Evaporate the fluid separated by the filter to an extract, act upon this by alcohol, leave the tincture to spontaneous evaporation, and test the residue for morphia. Treatment. The stomach-pump should be instantly used, or an emetic consisting of 3ss. of sulphate of zinc, or from gr. v. to gr. x. of sulphate of copper dissolved in an ounce of water, should be exhibited as soon as possible, and the vomiting kept up by irritating the fauces. It is advisable to use an astringent infusion instead of water with the stomach-pump. After the stomach is emptied, if the whole of the narcotic be removed, give large draughts of vinegar and water, and other acidulous fluids; with coffee, brandy, and cordials; keeping awake and constantly rousing the attention of the sufferer, until the effects of the poison subside. Immersion in the tepid bath is a useful means of subduing the drowsiness. Dashing cold water on the head and chest is also useful in rousing the sensibility. OXALIC ACID, (Acr'dum Oxalicum.) A corrosive poison. Symptoms. Burning pain of the stomach; nausea, and severe but in- effectual efforts to vomit; great dilatation of pupils; vertigo, con- vulsions, and death. Morbid Appearances. The tongue and fauces are covered with a viscid, white mucus ; the stomach is partially inflamed, and exhibits in some places, those to which the acid has been more immediately applied, a pulpy character. Evidences of inflammation in the lungs. Test. Its small, needle-form, lamellar crystals have occasioned it to be mistaken for Epsom salts; but it is easily distinguished from these by its strong acid taste, by its volatilizing when heated in a phial, and subliming in small crystals, and by lime-water throwing down, in its solution, a copious precipitate of oxalate of lime, which is insoluble in an excess of the acid, but soluble in nitric acid. Precipitate by nitrate of silver: the precipitate, when well washed and dried, slightly detonates. Treatment. Administer, as soon as possible after the poison has been taken, a mixture of chalk and water, and then evacuate the oxalate of lime thus formed, by exciting vomiting, by copious dilution and irri- tating the fauces. OXIDE OF COPPER. See under Verdigris. PHOSPHORUS. {Phosphorus.) A corrosive poison. Symptoms. Phosphorus taken even in moderate quantities produces immediate death; and as it has been exhibited as a remedy, in this manner it may prove poisonous. The symptoms are violent pain of the stomach, with a hot alliaceous taste in the mouth; great excite- ment of the arterial system, and horrible convulsions, which are the forerunners of death. Morbid Appearances. A general inflammatory aspect of the stomach and intestines, with sphacelated spots in various parts. Test. Phosphorus is readily known by its alliaceous smell and com- bustible properties. Treatment. Dilute largely so as to fill the stomach with liquid, by which the combustion of the phosphorus in it is impeded and vomiting in- duced, without increasing the irritation of the viscus. Magnesia, mixed with the fluid exhibited, is useful by neutralizing phosphoric acid, which is formed in these cases. POTASSA,_SOLUTION OF POTASSA. (Potassa fusa. Liquor Potasscc.) Corrosive mineral poisons. Symptoms. Acrid urinous taste in the mouth ; great heat of the throat; nausea, and vomiting of bloody alkaline matter ; acute epigastralgia and insupportable colic; hypercatharsis, convulsions and death. Morbid Appearances. Evidences of inflammation the most extensive of the whole alimentary canal, and perforations of the stomach.$

Thomson's Conspectus of the British pharmacopoeias.

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