The poison of these insects occasions diffuse cellular inflammation, which always ends in resolution. It is said, however,[1] and it may be readily believed, that death has been sometimes caused in consequence of a whole hive attacking an intruder and covering his body with their stings. In an old French journal is shortly noticed the case of a peasant who died soon after being stung over the eye by a single bee.[2] A more probable story has been told in the Gazette de Santé of a gardener who died of inflammation of the throat, in consequence of being stung there by a wasp while he was eating an apple, in which it had been concealed.[3] But the same accident has often occurred without any material danger.
The treatment of poisoning by venomous serpents need not be detailed here. The subject is introduced merely to mention that the treatment of poisoned wounds by the application of cupping-glasses has been lately resorted to with success for curing the bite of the viper. A patient of M. Piorry, two hours after being bitten, had all the constitutional symptoms strongly developed, such as slow, very feeble pulse, nausea, vomiting, and swelling of the face. When a cupping-glass was applied for half an hour, the general symptoms ceased and did not return. Next day diffuse inflammation began; but it was checked by leeches.[4] An equally successful case is related in the Calcutta Transactions by Mr. Clarke.[5]
CHAPTER XXIV.
OF POISONING BY DISEASED AND DECAYED ANIMAL MATTER.
Another and much more important group of poisons, that may
be arranged in the present order, comprehends animal matter usually
harmless or even wholesome, but rendered deleterious by disease or
decay. These poisons are formed in three ways, by morbid action
local or constitutional, by ordinary putrefaction, and by modified putrefaction.
Of Animal Matter rendered Poisonous by Diseased Action.
Under the first variety might be included the latent poisons by means of which natural diseases are communicated by infection, contact, and inoculation. Such poisons, however, being usually excluded from a strict toxicological system, the only varieties requiring notice are the animal poisons engendered by disease, and which do not produce peculiar diseases, but merely inflammation. Several species of this kind may be mentioned, comprehending the solids and fluids in various unhealthy states of the body.
