Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/135

111&#93; ARS ascertain whether the virus has dif- fused itself through the system, the person's state of mind and body should be comparatively examined} whether the former be dejecfed, or the latter reduced to preternatural debility ; or whether any of the animal and natural functions be impaired. When there appears a blue ring round the eyes, and the lips exhibit a similar colour, we may conclude, that the devastation occasioned in tire whole frame is considerable : and in such in- stances, Dr. Boerhaave advises to let the patient drink no less than twelve pints of luke-warm honey- water, in 24 hours.for 3 days succes- sively j and to administer frequent clysters of the same liquid. By this simple treatment, he observes, all those painful and dangerous symp- toms, which sometimes afflict the victims of this poison through the remainder of their lives, have been effectually obviated. On the con- trary, M.Navier, a reputed French writer, on the effe£ts of arsenic and its antidotes, recommends the method we have already pointed out, in propositions I. and II. ; af- ter which, he insinuates the pro- priety of re-commencing a milk- diet, and enjoins the patient to ab- stain from the use of all acid sub- stances, or liquors. In this opi- nion he is likewise supported by Dr. Hahnemann', who cautions the convalescent to be very atten- tive to his evacuations by stool; which, so long as he is subject to griping pain, and strictures in the abdomen, constantly require to be aided by the mildest purgatives. Beside these, he may drink decoc- tions of the Lichen islandiais, of the root called Polygula senega, or of quassia-wood, which last is, of all ether corroborant and astringent ARS [in remedies, the least heating, and ' consequently the most proper. In order to prevent all the bad consequences resulting from this malignant poison, the patient may with advantage resort to the warm mineral, sulphureous waters, which he should not only drink plentifully, but likewise bathe in them, espe- cially in the form of vapour. If such natural waters cannot be ea- sily procured, they may be artifi- cially substituted by medical mm, who are, in general, perfectly wt !1 acquainted with their component parts, as w 11 as the manner of preparing them. By their proper use, the unfortunate invalid may at length recover from that tremu- lating affection of the limbs, re- laxation, paralysis, convulsions, and other distressing complaints, which the improvident swallowing of arsenic usually produces. From a multiplicity of instances related by Y/epfer, Heer, Zitt- man, Ebixl, and other writers, we have reason to conclude, that in our daily victuals, as well as by the use of glazed vessels, consider- able portions of lead and ar»enic are taken into the stomach, and mixed with -olid food ; though un- attended with danger or inconve- nience, except that of vomiting. Sometimes, however, where the digestive organs are in a languid state, the poison may lo.'ge in the cellular membranes of the sto- mach and bowels, for several clays or weeks, before it be evacuated. In such cases, the necessary con- sequence will be a slow hi elic fe- ver, for which the physician, w!.o is generally consulted in the secon- dary stage of the disease, can as- sign no cause. Lastly, we shall briefly mention, by wjjat means and processes it may,