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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    when taken in too large quantities, are fol- lowed by the moft fatal confequences. The different fyftems of the fame body are not alike influenced by the fame poifon. The carbonic acid gas, when inhaled, immediately deftroys life, but, when taken into the ftomach, is not unpleafant to the tafte, and, in fome cafes, is ufeful as a medicine. The venom of the viper, according to the experiments of Fontana, may, without danger be taken into the ftomach, and is faid to poffefs tonic pow- ers, but, if it be introduced into the fanguife- rous fyftem, it proves rapidly deftructive. Examples, illuftrating the relative opera- tion of poifons, might be advanced without number; fuffice it to fay, that the preparations of copper, arfenic, zinc, and other metals, though the moft deleterious articles, belong- ing to the catalogue of medicines, are, when properly managed, important acquifitions to the materia medica. I have fhewn above, that the moft valuable medicines may,occafionally,prove deleterious, yet no one contends on this account, that thefe articles fhould be excluded from the materia medica; lead,like al] other powerful medicines when given in too large quantities, becomes a poifon ; but, we have the authority of many