that he had previously seen the same appearance in animals.[1] These observations are not satisfactory. There is no evidence that the observer drew the distinction between the redness of inflammation, and that produced by the dyeing of the membrane with blood after death. The subject was afterwards brought before the Royal Academy of Medicine at Paris by M. Godard, who had also observed the appearance in question in a person killed by arsenic, and who dwelt strongly on it as characteristic of this species of poisoning. It was distinctly proved, however, by many members present that the appearance arises from various other causes.[2]
The inner membrane of the windpipe is said to be sometimes affected with inflammatory redness. Jaeger found it so in animals;[3] and the symptoms referrible to the windpipe during life would lead us to expect the same thing in man.
The organs of generation are occasionally affected. The penis in the male and the labia in the female have been found distended and black; in an interesting case related by Bachmann the external parts of generation (in a female) were surrounded by gangrene;[4] and in a case related in Pyl's collection the inside of the uterus and Fallopian tubes was inflamed.[5] It is probable that signs of inflammation in the internal organs of generation will be found if there have been corresponding symptoms during life. But in truth this part of the pathology of poisoning with arsenic has not been particularly attended to.
To complete this account of the morbid appearances of the mucous membranes, it may be added that the conjunctiva of the eyes frequently presents vascularity and spots of extravasation.[6]
It now only remains, under the head of the morbid appearances produced by arsenic, to mention certain alterations that are said to take place in the state of the blood and general condition of the body.
With regard to the state of the blood Sir B. Brodie observes in general terms, that in animals killed by arsenic it is commonly fluid.[7] Harles, on the authority of Wepfer, Sproegel, and Jaeger, says it is black, semi-gelatinous, and sometimes pultaceous.[8] Novati alleges that the blood after death is without exception black and liquid as after cholera, of a blackish-purple tint that colours linen reddish-brown, viscid, opaque, and without any trace of coagulation.[9] In a fatal case related by Wildberg the blood was everywhere fluid.[10] This condition, however, is not uniform; for Dr. Campbell found the blood coagulated in the heart of a rabbit;[11] and Wepfer found it also coagulated in the dog.[12]
- ↑ Archives Gén. i. 147.
- ↑ Nouvelle Bibliothêque Médicale, 1829, i. 395.
- ↑ Jaeger, de Effectibus Arsenici, p. 40.
- ↑ Bachmann's Essay, p. 41, or above, p. 259.
- ↑ Aufsätze und Beobachtungen, i. 50.
- ↑ Wibmer. Die Wirkung der Arzneimittel und Gifte, i. 281, 283.
- ↑ Phil. Trans. cii. 214.
- ↑ De Arsenici usu in Medicina, 1811, p. 154.
- ↑ Journal de Chimie Médicale, 1839, p. 127.
- ↑ Practisches Handbuch, iii. 229.
- ↑ De Venenis Mineralibus. Diss. Inaug. Edinburgi, 1813.
- ↑ Historia Circutæ, 288.
