Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1847-10-13
To the Editors Of the Express.

4 GEsrLsMsS--i send you the description
Of case Of poisoning by stranonium, that
If you think proper, you may transmit IL TO
the public through the columns OF the Fix
nress; as by this means, no doubt, q large
share fthe community will become acqualn-
ted. in manner, with the action OF this
powerful narcotic. ..,
. The subject was little boy, two and a
half wears of age. In about fifteen minutes
after he was found playing with the poison,
his mother called, me l was in the chamber
.bove,) that l might do something for her
"l;ttle boy; he was quite uneasy, constant
" in motion, crying violently, and his face
badly swollen" He desired to sleep, but
in consequence of an eruption on his limbs,
he could not, as this was excessively painful,
rendered SO by his scratching it, He endea-
vored to walk, and fell upon the floor. l i'm
mediately gave him five grains of Iarter
Emetic, and followed it, in fifteen minutes,
nv ten grains of Ipecac; and in the space OF
one hour and a half, fifty grains OF lpecac
were taken. The disposition to sleep soon
subsided and his limbs became more agita-
ted. When he endeavoTed to walk, his
aten much resembled that of a child just
commencing to walk. In the one hour and
a half, gave him a half ounce of Cayenne
tincture, in small doses, and in EVERY case
the administration Of the tincture was fol-
lowed by an increasing command of his low
or extremeties; but the beneficial effects
soon died away, unless repeated the dose
Dimness Of vision soon followed; and in hal
an hour he was totally blind, and continued
90 for three hours. The pupils Of his eyes
were enormously diluted. In about an hour
AFTER taking the poison he commenced sing
ing, crying, and laughing, by turns, be
holder could hardly keep from smiling whilst
seeing the oddities of the patient. though
in this perilous condition. After becoming
blind, he WAS constantly in motion, catching
y at things about him. When he caught hold
of any thing, he would cling to it with great
firmness for short time, relax his grasp, and
strike at imaginary things in The air; would
walk about; if arrested by the hand of some
one, scream out, and fall upon the floor; try
70 pick up something, and carry his hand to
his mouth, as if eating with spoon. His
hearing was at times acute, and he readily
answered quessions again he would take no
notice of what was said to him. | should
have mentioned that his pulse was up to 1870
per minute from the commencement. After
/ had given him 40 grains Of !pecac, he vom-
tied slightly, and u free perspiration com.
menced; the function Of the kidneys was
very active, and continued so about hours
In four hours from the attack, his lower ex-
trsmities gained proper action. and until
this time i. was almost impossible to make
him swallow. Though, when he made an
effort. he found no difficulty in doing so. His
breathing appeared to be quite regular at
times; again, it was hurried. Blindness
was the last symptom to subsidc. had the
room made as dark as practicable, and by
this means found he could see for mo-
nent, and then appear totally blind for 6
few minutes, and would then appear to see
again. In hours from the commencement
his sight was perfectly restored. About this
time lie became quite thirsty, and drank a
good deal through the night; slept but very
little; constantly tumbling about the bed
lie took the poison yesterday about noon
10 to-day perfectly we'll.
j. r. II. SCOTT.
Garnayillo, Oct. 1S47.