Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/133

109&#93; ARS- of wines *■, which have, been sweet- ened by sugar of lead ; we cannot be too minute in laving down pro- per rules and directions for obvi- ating the dangerous effects of such casualties, as but too often occur among those who employ arsenical preparations, in a dry or liquid state, either for gratifying their curiosity by different experiments, or for other more useful purposes. Arsenic is one of the most sad- den and violent poisons we are acquainted with. Its fumes are so deleterious to the lungs, that the artist ought to be on his guard, to prevent their inhalation by the mouth ; for if they be mixed and swallowed widi the saliva, effedts will take place similar to those, which follow its introduction into the stomach in a saline or dissolv- ed slate ; namely, a sensation of a piercing, gnawing, and burnmg kind, accompanied with an acute pain in the stomach and intestines, which last are violently contort- ed ; convulsive vomiting ; insatiable thirst, from the parched and rough state of the tongue and throat ; hiccough, palpitation of the heart, and a deadly oppression of the whole breast succeed next j the matters ejected by the mouth, as well as the stools, exhibit a black, fetid and putrid appearance.} at Ici/i Jth, with the mortification of the bowels, the pain subsides, and the fatal catastrophe terminates the ktirferings of the patient. There are, however, cases on medical re- cord, in which, on dissection, nei- ther the stomach nor bowels, ac- cording to the testimonies of Drs. ivlETZGi-.ii and Hahnemann, have been corroded, nor even injured ; so that this poison may, in some ARS [:o 9 instances, exert its a&ion imme- diately on the living principle. Thus we ff.ii, in a case related by our late friend, Dr. Un~zer, of Hamburgh, that a lady, who hai only tasted a little arsenic, without swallowing a particle, was twvlve hours after the accident thrown into the most cctn"ulsive spasms, and attacked with inflammatory pustules, not unlike the measles, covering her face, neck, and whole body, so that she recovered with great difficulty, and remained for several years in a mi-erabb state of languor, and general debility. For these obvious reasons, artists exposed to the fumes or vapour of this volatile mineral, ought to be extremely cautious to preserve themselves from its influence on their mouth and nostrils, as well as from touching it with theirhands; for every external contact may be attended with serious consequences. Hence they should dress in thick and firm clothes, keep at a proper distance from the exhaling fumes, and cover the orifices of the face with a mask, made for the purpose. In their system of diet, we advise them to make use of a great pro- portion of bland and mucilaginous nourishment ; such as fresh butter, pork, sweet oil, milk, artichokes, and similar vegetables. With respect to the treatment of persons, after the inhalation, or swallowing of arsenic, we shall arrange the subject under three distinct propositions. I. If hen a large portion ofarsr- nic has leen introduced into the stomach, or inhaled ly the lungs : 1. Immediately after the acci- dent, brisk emetics ; for instance, half a dram of white vitriol, and, after
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