A universal formulary containing the methods of preparing and administering officinal and other medicines / by R. Eglesfeld Griffith.

  • Robert Eglesfeld Griffith
Date:
1858
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A universal formulary containing the methods of preparing and administering officinal and other medicines / by R. Eglesfeld Griffith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    LEAD —MERCURY. ^^S Lead.—In a metallic state, lead does not appear to be poisonous; but most of its compounds are, especially the acetate, chloride, carbonate, and oxide. ^Symp^oms.—Obstinate constipation, violent colic with retraction of the abdomen; vomiting, pulse small and hard, laborious breathing, and tremors, gums With a blue tinge, paralysis of the extremities, &c. _ ■ jiforbid Appearances.—The appearances on dissection are very various, but are principally those of inflammation. Tests.—In a solid state : Mixed with potassa and charcoal, and exposed to a red heat (or placed in a suitably sized hollow in a piece of charcoal, and exposed to a blow-pipe flame), metallic lead is formed. In solution: Sulphuric acid, and the sulphates, throw down a white (sulphate of lead) precipitate. Solution of carbonate of soda gives a white (carbonate of lead) deposit. Solution of chromate of potassa a rich yellow (chromate of lead) precipi- tate. [Solution of iodide of potassium affords a yellow (iW?VZe of lead) precipitate.] Transmission of hydrosulphuric acid produces a blackish (sulphuret of lead) precipi- tate. Zinc precipitates lead from a solution of any of its salts. To render the carbonate amenable to the foregoing tests, it must first be dissolved in a suflBciency of nitric acid diluted with distilled water. Treatment.—Administer a solution of sulphate of zinc in full doses; induce and continue vomiting. If an insoluble salt of lead is the poison, almond or olive oil must at first be given in considerable quantity. The free exhibition of the sulphate of soda, or magnesia, or of milk, or albumen, to be followed by an emetic. In lead-colic, the treatment consists of active purgatives, followed by full doses of opium or Dover's powder. Inflammatory symptoms are counteracted by antiphlo- gistic means. Lobelia.—jS'ee Vegetable Poisons. Mercury.—In a metallic state, mercury exercises but a slight influence on the body, but in a state of vapor it is capable of causing violent symptoms. All the salts of mercury are poisonous; but the most important is corrosive sublimate. Symptoms.—The symptoms caused by corrosive sublimate resemble those produced by arsenic, but, from the salt being more soluble, they are more immediate and vio- lent; there is a more marked taste, the evacuations are more frequently bloody, and there is a whitened condition of the epithelium of the mouth. There are three varieties of poisoning with mercury. In the first, the leading symptoms are, violent irritatiou of the alimentary tube; namely, vomiting, purging, pain at the pit of the stomach, and irritation in the throat; metallic, styptic taste, corrosion of the mouth, tongue, and palate; constriction of the throat, and difiiculty of swallowing. Blood evacuated both by vomiting and by stools, suppression of urine, countenance flushed, tumid, and bloated. In the second variety, salivation and sloughing of the mouth succeed to the irritation and inflammation. In the third, mercurial erethism comes on, and is not preceded by the symptoms of local irritation. The first variety arises from the more soluble salts of mercury, in large doses; the second, from the same prepa- rations, but in smaller doses, and more diluted; the third, by the more insoluble and refractory compounds. Morbid Appearances.—These are similar to those attendant on irritative or cor- rosive poisoning. There are, frequently, shrivelling of the tongue, and enlargement of its papillas and root. In some cases, red and black spots in the cavities of the heart. Corrosion, ulceration, and disorganization of the mucous coat of the stomach and intestines. An inflamed condition of the urinary organs is also frequently observed. Tests.—Corrosive sublimate in a solid state : Is sublimed when heated in a test- tube; and the acrimonious fumes speedily condense into a crystalline, semi-transpa- rent mass. Placed in a test-tube, and lime-water, potassa, or soda, added in solu- tion, a yellow {peroxide of mercury) precipitate is thrown down. Triturated with