an eighth of a grain of sesquioxide; yet he appears to have made a narrow escape.[1]
It is of some consequence to settle with precision the power of the white oxide. Witnesses are often asked on trials how small a quantity will occasion death? It is obvious that this question admits only of a vague answer: It can be answered at all only in reference to concomitant circumstances, and even then but presumptively. Nevertheless, it is right to be aware what facts are known on the subject.
It has been stated by various systematic authors that the white oxide will prove fatal to man in the dose of two grains. Hahnemann says in more special terms, that in circumstances favourable to its action four grains may cause death within twenty-four hours, and one or two grains in a few days.[2] But neither he nor any of the other authors alluded to have referred to actual cases. Foderé knew half a grain cause colic pains in the stomach and dysenteric flux, which continued obstinately for eight days;[3] and I have related an instance where six persons, after taking each a grain in wine during dinner, were seriously and violently affected for twelve hours.[4] Mr. Alfred Taylor mentions three similar cases occasioned by arsenic accidentally taken in port-wine after dinner,—one, an infant of sixteen months who got about a third of a grain, another, a lady who took a grain and a half, and the third, a gentleman, who had two grains and a half,—in all of whom violent vomiting, and prostration, without pain, occurred for three or four hours; and the gentleman of the party did not recover for several days.[5] M. Lachèse mentions his having met with a number of cases of poisoning from small doses taken in bread or soup; whence he concludes, that an eighth of a grain taken in food may cause vomiting;—that a quarter of a grain or twice as much taken once only causes vomiting, colic, and prostration,—that the same quantity repeated next day renews these symptoms in such force as to render the individual unfit for work till three or four days afterwards,—and that four such doses, taken at intervals during two days, that is between one and a half and two grains in all, excite acute gastro-enteritis and may prove fatal, since two individuals who had taken this much died, one in seven weeks, the other three weeks later.[6] The smallest fatal dose I have found recorded elsewhere is four grains and a half; and death ensued in six hours only.[7] But the subject was a child, four years old, and the poison was taken in solution. Alberti mentions the case of a man who died from taking six grains; but I am unacquainted with the particulars, not having seen the original account.[8] Two children, whose cases are
- ↑ For the references to these cases, see p. 227.
- ↑ Ueber Arsenic-Vergiftung, p. 53-4.
- ↑ Journal Complémentaire, i. 107.
- ↑ Edin. Med. and Surg. Journal, xxxiii. 67.
- ↑ Guy's Hospital Reports, 1841, vi. 29.
- ↑ Annales d'Hygiène Publique, 1837, xvi. 336, 345.
- ↑ Rust's Magazin für die gesammte Heilkunde, xx. 492.
- ↑ Wibmer. Die Wirkung der Arzneimittel und Gifte, i. 257. From Alberti, Jurisp. Med. v. 619, cas. 24.
