Sulphate of soda and sulphate of magnesia were given promptly as antidotes; in an hour the symptoms had abated materially; and next day she was well.[1] This was the case in which Orfila found lead in the urine. Of the same nature, also, are two cases briefly alluded to by Mr. Taylor, as having been caused in London in 1840 by Goulard's extract. The subjects, who were children, were seized with vomiting, purging, and other symptoms like those of Asiatic cholera; and both died within thirty-six hours.[2]
In another instance, related by Mr. Iliff of London, where an ounce of the acetate was accidentally swallowed in solution, the symptoms were at first colic pains and vomiting, in the course of a few hours vomiting and tenderness, and, after these symptoms receded, a peculiar state of rigidity and numbness, which was not entirely removed for several days. In this case no remedies were used for three hours; and even two hours later, when the stomach-pump was resorted to on account of the slightness of the vomiting, lead was found in the first fluid withdrawn,—a new proof of the feeble action of acetate of lead, compared with some other metallic poisons.[3]
So much for the operation of the acetate of lead in large doses. Physicians, however, are much better acquainted with the effects of lead when introduced in the body continuously and insidiously in minute quantities. For all tradesmen who work much with its preparations are apt to suffer in this way, and many other persons have been brought under its action in consequence of articles of food and drink being impregnated with it. The disease which is thus induced may be divided into two distinct stages.
The first stage is an affection of the alimentary canal, the leading feature of which is violent and obstinate colic. This symptom at times begins abruptly during a state of sound health; but much more commonly it is ushered in by a deranged state of the stomach, not unlike common dyspepsia, seldom so severe as to excite alarm, and commonly imputed at first to a wrong cause. There is general uneasiness and depression, a dingy yellowish complexion, weakness and numbness in the limbs, a sweetish styptic taste and fetid breath, a slaty tint of the teeth and gums, with a blue line along the margin of the gums where they touch the teeth, a slow hard pulse, great emaciation, loss of appetite and tendency to indigestion. This state, which was first well characterized by Mr. Wilson[4] of Leadhills, and has lately been more fully described by M. Tanquerel,[5] is of great moment as apprizing the workman of the necessity of taking active measures for preventing the more formidable effects, which otherwise are sure to follow. Of the warning symptoms none is so invariable or so characteristic as the blue line along the edge of the gums, an appearance which was first noticed by Dr. Burton of St. George's,
