ricture of the oesophagus, stomach, etc.

_Post-Mortem Appearances Common to the Mineral Acids._--Stains and
corrosions about the mouth, chin, and fingers, or wherever the acid has
come in contact. The inside of the mouth, fauces, and oesophagus, is
white and corroded, yellow or dark brown, and shrivelled. Epiglottis
contracted or swollen. Stomach filled with brown, yellow, or black
glutinous liquid; its lining membrane is charred or inflamed, and the
vessels are injected. Pylorus contracted. Perforation, when it takes
place, is on the posterior aspect; the apertures are circular, and
surrounded by inflammation and black extravasation. The blood in the
large vessels may be coagulated.

Avoid mistaking gastric or duodenal ulcer, with or without perforation,
for the effects of a corrosive poison.

_Treatment._--Calcined magnesia or the carbonate or bicarbonate of
sodium, mixed with milk or some mucilaginous liquid, are the best
antidotes. In the absence of these, chalk, whiting, milk, oil,
soap-suds, etc., will be found of service. The stomach-pump should not
be used. If the breathing is impeded, tracheotomy may be necessary.
Injuries of external parts by the acid must be treated as burns.

X.--SULPHURIC ACID

=Sulphuric Acid=, or oil of vitriol, may be concentrated or diluted. It
is frequently thrown over the person to disfigure the features or
destroy the clothes. Parts of the body touched by it are stained, first
white, and then dark brown or black. The presence of corrosion of the
mouth is as important as the chemical tests. Black woollen cloths are
turned to a dirty brown, the edges of the spots becoming red in a few
days, due to the dilution of the acid from the absorption of moisture;
the stains remain damp for long, owing to the hygroscopic property of
the acid.

_Method of Extraction from the Stomach._--The contents of the stomach or
vomited matter should, if necessary, be diluted with pure distilled
water and filtered. The stomach should be cut up into small pieces and
boiled for some time in water. The solution, filtered and concentrated,
is now ready for testing. Blood, milk, etc., may be separated by
dialysis, and the fluid so obtained tested. A sulphate may be present.
Take a portion of the liquid, evaporate to dryness, and incinerate; a
sulphate, if present, will be obtained, and may be tested.

_Caution._--Sulphuric acid may not be found even after large doses, due
to treatment, vomiting, o