by Dr. Hall.[1] He has there given the particulars of four cases which came under his notice; from which it follows that the disease induced is always cynanche laryngea, proving fatal by suffocation. Two of his patients died suffocated; another, while in imminent danger, was relieved by tracheotomy, but died afterwards of exhaustion; the fourth recovered suddenly during a fit of screaming, when apparently about to be choked; and it was supposed that the vesicles around the glottis had been burst by the cries.
Pouring melted lead down the throat was a frequent mode of despatching criminals and prisoners in former ages. Only one authentic case is to be found on record of death from this cause in modern times. It occurred at the burning of the Eddistone light-house. A man, while gazing up at the fire with his mouth open, received a shower of melted lead from the building, and expired after twelve days of suffering. Seven ounces and a half of lead had reached the stomach; and the stomach was severely burnt, and ulcerated.[2]
In concluding the Irritant Poisons, and before proceeding to the next class, the Narcotics, it is necessary to observe, that besides the substances which have been treated of, there are others not usually considered poisons, and some that are even used daily for seasoning food, which, nevertheless, when taken in large quantities, will prove injurious and even occasion all the chief symptoms of the active irritants. These substances connect the true poisons with substances which are inert in regard to the animal economy.
It is impossible to particularize all the articles of the kind now alluded to. But in illustration, I may refer in a few words to six common substances, pepper, Epsom salt, alum, cream of tartar, sulphate of potash, and common salt.
Pepper, which is daily used by all ranks with impunity, will nevertheless cause even dangerous symptoms when taken in large quantity. In Rust's Journal is noticed the case of a man affected with a tertian ague, who after taking between an ounce and a half and two ounces of pepper in brandy, was attacked with convulsions, burning in the throat and stomach, great thirst, and vomiting of every thing he swallowed. His case was treated as one of simple gastritis, and he recovered.[3]
A very striking instance, which may be arranged under the present head, has also been related to me, of apparent poisoning with Epsom salt. A boy ten years old took two ounces of this laxative partly dissolved, partly mixed in a teacupful of water; and had hardly swallowed it before he was observed to stagger and become unwell. When the surgeon saw him half an hour after, the pulse was imperceptible, the breathing slow and difficult, the whole frame in a state of extreme debility, and in ten minutes more the child died without any other symptom of note, and in particular without any vomiting.
