Essentials of forensic medicine, toxicology and hygiene / by C.E. Armand Semple.

  • Semple, C. E. Armand (Charles Edward Armand), 1845-1895
Date:
1890
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Essentials of forensic medicine, toxicology and hygiene / by C.E. Armand Semple. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    externally, or given internally in small doses, producing the con- dition known as iodism. The manifestations are general]}r irrita- bility of the alimentary canal and indigestion, constant vomiting, purging and pain in the stomach, enlargement of the liver, cramps, and palpitation. Salivation, increase of all the secretions, general wasting of the body, and special absorption of the breast in the female, and the testicles in the male, are stated to be ordinary symptoms. After a mere medicinal dose, iodine may be found in the milk, sweat, blood, urine, and saliva. It will be found in the urine after forty minutes, and may not disappear for five days. The iodine is then present in the form of hydriodic acid. Treatment.—Vomiting should be induced by emetics ; fari- naceous foods should be subsequently administered. Post-mortem Appearances.—Those of an irritant poison : the enlargement and congestion of the liver seem constant. The brain is usually congested, the lungs normal; little yellow ulcers have been found by Orfila in the stomach of dogs. Quantity Required to Destroy life.—(Variable). Bad effects have resulted from taking \ grain three times a day for a week, and death has resulted from 20 grains of iodine, whereas recovery is recorded after a drachm and a half has been taken. Period at which Death takes place.—Usually within 30 hours after taking the poison. XVXode of Extraction from the Stomach.—The contents of the stomach must be filtered, and should the filtrate be colourless and clear, the iodine may be tested for at once by adding some starch solution, a blue colour appearing if iodine is present. If the filtrate is too dark-coloured to allow the immediate applica- tion of the starch, it should be shaken with its own bulk of ether, and after the ether has separated, the ethereal solution should be decanted and tested for iodine. Iodide of Potassium. Very small doses of this salt, even 5 grains, have produced serious effects in persons peculiarly susceptible to its influence; and, on the other hand, some individuals have taken drachm-doses with impunity. Salivation has been observed on several occasions. The general symptoms are those of severe catarrh. Sometimes violent pains in the abdomen, with vomiting and purging, have been noticed. In some instances an eruption resembling small- pox has been produced by medicinal doses. Mode of Extraction from the Stomach.—Sulphuretted hy- drogen should be passed through the mixture to transform any free iodine into hydriodic acid. The mixture should be heated gently to expel any excess of the gas, and excess of potash added; it should then be filtered, and evaporated to dryness. The residue is then charred in a covered crucible, powdered, heated with water and filtered. It is then evaporated to a small bulk and