with the flaps of the incision, killed a dog in twenty-seven hours; and death was preceded by no remarkable symptom except great languor. The wounded limb was found after death highly inflamed, and the redness and sanguinolent infiltration, which were alluded to in the general observations on the vegetable acrids, extended from the knee as high up the trunk as the fifth rib,—a striking proof of the rapidity with which this variety of inflammation diffuses itself.[1] Mr. Blake concludes from his experiments, that euphorbium, when injected in a state of solution in the jugular vein, acts by obstructing both the pulmonary and systemic capillaries, and so preventing the passage of the blood into the left side of the heart; but that the heart is not primarily acted on.[2]
The most common symptoms occasioned in man by euphorbium are violent griping and purging, and excessive exhaustion; but it appears probable that narcotic symptoms are also at times induced. A case of irritant poisoning with it has been related in the Philosophical Transactions; but it is not a pure one, as a large quantity of camphor was taken at the same time. Much irritation was produced in the alimentary canal; but by the prompt excitement of vomiting and the subsequent use of opium the patient soon recovered.[3] Mr. Furnival has related a fatal case which arose from a farrier having given a man a teaspoonful by mistake for rhubarb. Burning heat in the throat and then in the stomach, vomiting, irregular hurried pulse, and cold perspiration were the leading symptoms; and the person died in three days. Several gangrenous spots were found in the stomach, and its coats tore with the slightest touch.[4] The operation of this substance is so violent and uncertain, that it has long ceased to be employed inwardly in the regular practice of medicine, and has been even excluded from some modern Pharmacopœias. It is still used by farriers as an external application; and in the Infirmary of this city I met with a fatal case of poisoning in the human subject, which was supposed to have been produced by a mixture containing it, and intended to cure horses of the grease. Pyl has related the proceedings in a prosecution against a man for putting powder of euphorbium into his maid-*servant's bed; and from this narrative it appears, that, when applied to the sound skin, it causes violent heat, itching and smarting, succeeded by inflammation and blisters.[5] Dr. Veitch denies that the powder has any such power;[6] but the effects described by Pyl correspond with popular belief.
Probably all the species of euphorbium possess the same properties as E. officinarum. Orfila found that the juice of the leaves of E. cyparissias and lathyris produces precisely the effects described above. Sproegel applied the juice of the latter to his face, and was attacked in consequence with an eruption like nettle-rash; and he found that it caused warts and hair to drop out.[7] Vicat mentions analogous
