An essay on the effects of lead: comprising a few experiments on the saccharum saturni, and its application in the cure of diseases ... / [Thomas Semmes].

  • Semmes, Thomas, 1778-1833
Date:
1801
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An essay on the effects of lead: comprising a few experiments on the saccharum saturni, and its application in the cure of diseases ... / [Thomas Semmes]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Fee bad tallic fubftances, in the hands of the ignorant, or when exhibited in improper quantities, dif- organize the vital funétions, and extinguifh life. But, if thefe fubftances be managed judicioufly, and adminiftered with difcretion, ! they relieve difeafe, prolong life, and prove highly advantageous to mankind. The effects of fubftances, ufually called poifons, are relative ; and the flighteft obfer- vation will convince us, they act either as me- dicines, or as poifons, according to their quan- tity and quality. Animals have a greater or lefs aptitude to be aGted on, by one fub- {tance, than by another; or poffefs a peculiar idiofyncrafy of habit, whereby the moft bane- ful effects will he produced by a certain fub- {tance, upon one, while upon another, the fame fubftance would be attended with little or no ef- fect. Hemlock is innoxious to cows; hogs fat- ten on henbane; and goats may confume large quantities of euphorbium, without injury ; but each of thefe vegetables are poifonous to many other animals. ‘The {trammonium con- {titutes an article of food to fome animals, while the admiffion of afew grains into the {tomach of a man, proves deleterious. Opium is a valuable medicine, yet it is known, that two perfons, taking equal quantities, may be
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