that in the kinds of poisoning where diarrhœa occurs, the poison is very soon discharged, and ought therefore to be looked for in the evacuations from the bowels.[1]
A few observations may be here added on the effects of the salts of strontia on the animal frame. These compounds bear a close resemblance to the salts of baryta, and the two earths were consequently long confounded together till Dr. Hope pointed out their distinctions. One of the most striking differences is, that the salts of the strontia are very feebly poisonous. Some experiments of this purport were made by M. Pelletier of Paris,[2] and by Blumenbach; but the most accurate researches are those of Professor Gmelin. He found that ten grains of the chloride in solution had no effect when injected into the jugular vein of a dog,—that two drachms had no effect when introduced into the stomach of a rabbit,—that half an ounce was required to cause death in that way,—that two drachms of the carbonate had no effect,—and that two drachms of the nitrate, dissolved in six parts of water and given to a rabbit, merely caused increase of the frequency and hardness of the pulse and a brisk diarrhœa.[3] Mr. Blake also found that small doses of the salts of strontia have little effect when injected into the veins; but that forty grains arrest the action of the heart in fifteen seconds.[4]
CHAPTER XX.
The fourth order of the irritant poisons contains a great number of
genera derived from the vegetable kingdom, and at one time commonly
arranged in a class by themselves under the title of Acrid
Poisons. The order includes many plants of the natural families
Ranunculaceæ, Cucurbitaceæ, and Euphorbiaceæ, and other plants
scattered throughout the botanical system. It likewise comprehends
a second group consisting of some acrid poisons from the animal
kingdom, namely, cantharides, poisonous fishes, poisonous serpents,
and animal matters become poisonous by disease or putrefaction.
OF POISONING WITH THE VEGETABLE ACRIDS.
The vegetable acrids are the most characteristic poisons of this order. They will not require many details, as they are seldom resorted to for criminal purposes, and their mode of action, their symptoms, and their morbid appearances are nearly the same in all.
We are chiefly indebted to Professor Orfila for our knowledge of their mode of action. He has subjected them to two sets of experiments. In the first place, he introduced the poison in various doses
