Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-10-09
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
In the afternoon CT Wednesday, Sep
TENDER 10th, Mr.. Pickett, my student,
had occasion to weigh out a quantity Of
the white oxide of arsenic, (ra,sbanc)
which he placed in measure glass, with
the Intention ofspeedily removing it. At
the same time, however, he bade me
notice the circumsfance but as l short
~ afterwards rode out to visit some
patients, it made very fleeing impress
sion on my memory. That evening l
returned as near home as the house Of
Richard White, where met Mr.. Pick
cit, and staid the night Before dawn
Of the ensuing day was reused by Mr..
Hunt, to visit his daughter, OH Beaver
creek, six or seven miles distant. We
accordingly started, but stopped at my
shop 10 procure some necessary articles.
was then only ten DAYS convalescent
from severe attack of dyscntery, (bloody
hux) during which period took spoon
iul OF Peruvian bark every mornisg, to
remove debility, and prevent other dis
ease. this morning, therefore, threw
ny customary dasc Of bark into the mea-
sure e|ass--siirred itup with some whis.
key to wet it-and swallowed nearly the
whole. | then rode with Mr.. Hunt TO
his house, having some uneasy sickening
sensations at my stomach while riding,
but without referring them to the pro-
per cause. After prescribing for the
daughter l unavai,ingIy endeavored to
sleep; but, the sickness increasing, was
obliged to rise and force myself to vomit,
by irritating my throat with my finger.
then had some partial slumber; fire.
quently disturbed, however, by the dis.
tressing feelings at my stomach, violent
pain in my head, and extreme agitation
in my heart and arteries. AT this period,
four hours after left home, my student,
zcho had made the most anxious sheed.
as soon as he discovered my unfortunate
mistake, arrived with intelligence that 1
must have taken between fifty ard sixty
grains of arsenic. The necessary treat
nent was instantly adopted. My slo-
mach was repeatedly filled with ;cpid
mucilagenious diuents, and their evacu-
alton was accelerated by speedy emetic
medicine (sulphate Of copper or blue
vitriol)
10 arrestinf1amatiop, sirty3our Ounces
Of blood were taken from my arm, in
two bleedings, during the two first days,
and cpispastic plasters were applied to
my abdomen and breast. In addition to
other cathartic medicines, I took two
hundred and ten grains of the mild mu-
rate of mercury (calomeD during the
forty hours succeeding their first admit
nistralion; by which means, in two days
from the time Of swallowing the poison,
(but not till thcn) every particle Of il
seemed to be removed, and evidences Of
a nercurial action on my system appear
ed. Owing to the excessive shock, how
ever, which the arsenic had given to my
frame, and the consequent arrangement
in its operations, it was not until the
fourth day, aided BY the frequent use of
the warm bath, that the disorder so abated
as to warrant any reasonable expectation
OF my recovery. Since that time my
'conyalescence has been rapid 10 degree
far surprising anticipations.
To persevering firmness in the use
Of established remedies; assisted by the
unwearied, vigilant cxertions of my stu
dent, and the kind attention of other