reath smelled strongly of iodoform. There are two
similar instances recorded in England.
Pope mentions two fatal cases of lead-poisoning from diachylon plaster,
self-administered for the purpose of producing abortion. Lead
water-pipes, the use of cosmetics and hair-dyes, coloring matter in
confectionery and in pastry, habitual biting of silk threads,
imperfectly burnt pottery, and cooking bread with painted wood have
been mentioned as causes of chronic lead-poisoning.
Mercury.--Armstrong mentions recovery after ingestion of 1 1/2 drams of
corrosive sublimate, and Lodge speaks of recovery after a dose
containing 100 grains of the salt. It is said that a man swallowed 80
grains of mercuric chlorid in whiskey and water, and vomited violently
about ten minutes afterward. A mixture of albumin and milk was given to
him, and in about twenty-five minutes a bolus of gold-leaf and reduced
iron; in eight days he perfectly recovered. Severe and even fatal
poisoning may result from the external application of mercury. Meeres
mentions a case in which a solution (two grains to the fluid-ounce)
applied to the head of a child of nine for the relief of tinea
tonsurans caused diarrhea, profuse salivation, marked prostration, and
finally death. Washing out the vagina with a solution of corrosive
sublimate, 1:2000, has caused severe and even fatal poisoning. Bonet
mentions death after the inunction of a mercurial ointment, and
instances of distressing salivation from such medication are quite
common. There are various dermal affections which sometimes follow the
exhibition of mercury and assume an erythematous type. The
susceptibility of some persons to calomel, the slightest dose causing
profuse salivation and painful oral symptoms, is so common that few
physicians administer mercury to their patients without some knowledge
of their susceptibility to this drug. Blundel relates a curious case
occurring in the times when mercury was given in great quantities, in
which to relieve obstinate constipation a half ounce of crude mercury
was administered and repeated in twelve hours. Scores of globules of
mercury soon appeared over a vesicated surface, the result of a
previous blister applied to the epigastric region. Blundel, not
satisfied with the actuality of the phenomena, submitted his case to
Dr. Lister, who, after careful examination, pronounced the globules
metallic.
Oils.--Mauvezin tells of the ingestion of three drams of croton oil
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