been examined by M. Barthez,[1] Dr. Butske,[2] Dr. Dieffenbach,[3] and Dr. M. Glover.[4]
M. Barthez has given the following process for detecting bromine in compound mixtures, such as the contents of the stomach or vomited matter. First separate the fluid matter by filtration, and subject it to the action of chlorine, which will produce a fine orange-colour. Should this effect not result, or the change of colour be observed by the deep tint of the fluid, treat the solid matter with solution of caustic potass; filter and add what passes through to the former fluid; evaporate to dryness and char by a red heat; act on the residue with distilled water. The solution contains the bromide of potassium, and is therefore turned orange-red by chlorine. The orange tint, whether struck at once in the fluid part of the mixture, or after carbonization and solution of the residue, is removed by agitation with ether; and the etherial solution of bromine in its turn loses colour when treated with solution of caustic potass, hydro-bromate of potass being again formed.
M. Barthez found, that a solution of twelve grains injected into the jugular vein of a dog, sometimes occasioned immediate tetanus and death; and that the heart was gorged with clotted blood. Sometimes however even seventeen drops did not prove fatal, but produced merely restlessness, difficult breathing, dilated pupil, frequency of the pulse, and sneezing. Dieffenbach remarked similar effects in the rabbit: The animal either died immediately, or soon recovered altogether. In a cat, after the injection of twelve drops of a concentrated solution into its jugular vein, death took place in fifteen minutes; but in another from which a little blood was drawn after the symptoms were fully formed, complete recovery gradually ensued. Butske found a horse suffer so much from mortal prostration immediately after five grains dissolved in two ounces of water were injected into its jugular vein, that he supposed it was about to die; but it quickly revived, and ultimately got quite well. Dr. Glover obtained similar results. When recovery took place, the leading symptoms were panting, sneezing, discharge from the nostrils, rigors and debility.
When introduced into the stomach of dogs, M. Barthez found that twenty drops on a full stomach had no particular effect; that thirty drops occasioned vomiting, and temporary acceleration of the pulse and breathing; and that from forty to sixty drops on an empty stomach brought on violent vomiting, sneezing, cough, dilated pupil and prostration, succeeded in a few hours by languor without any other symptom, and by death in four or five days. In the dead body he remarked numerous little ulcers of the villous coat, some of which had an ash-gray appearance at the bottom, while others were covered
