The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1849-12-25
INTRODUCTORY LECTURF.
Delivered TO the Citizens of Memphis,
BIZ j. BIELTON SANDERS, "A. III.
PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACl
IN THE MEMPHIS INSTITUTE.
EcnNcfrnEn1

1t is perhaps in Toxicology that the knowl-
edge of chemical reactions and decomposition
is of the first importance The physician is
often summoned before jury to testify in
cases of supposed poisoning. and how vitality
necessary it is that we should thoroughly I'M
derstand the methods of detecting these
agents The life of an individual may de-
pend upon his testimony suffering an igno
minious death, or restored to society free
and honorable man, with its result. Should
the physician not understand this department
of his education, he will ofcourse incur deris-
ion-or in order to avoid humiliation should
he attempt what he does not thoroughly I'M
derstand, he is guilty ofnothing less than per
jury, and perhaps of homicide. He at ence
trifes with the life ola human being, not Only
jeopardsing that life, but subjecting the in
dlvidual to an ignominy which would adhere
to his children through life.
Again, it is at the bedside, that the physi-
clan is often obliged to recur 10 his toxocolog-
ical knowledge, and here there is no time for
delay, or else the patiert will die. 1t is such
a case as this that calls for the utmost prompt
ness Of thought and means and should YOU
not possess the antidotal knowledge so that
immediate recourse can be had to the rem
edies, you lose the patient through ignorance,
which should subject you to prosecution
and to disgrace. .,.--.---,-,
Twill record to You a case where prompt
ness of thought and means were necessary to
save life. Three months ago, in the city of
Cincinnati, was called upon to see a young
lady who had taken poison for the purpose oil
committing suicide. An hour had elapsed
before her people discovered it, and forty
minutes more before / reached her bedside
As she refused TO dyulge what poison she
had taken, it was necessary that should as
certain without delay. BY means Of Ammo
Of silver, confirmed by the Am
Of copper received sufficient
to assure me that she had takenI
Arsenious Acid (Arsenic.) l Immediately
gave her large tablespoonful ofPer-acetateI
Of Iron, repeating the dose every few minutes
till had deccmposed the poison.
The afternoon of that same day, | saw nv !
patient sitting at the front window, conversing
with the young man upon whose account she
had that morning committed such a rash act.
may as well add that the lady was married
that evening to her recusant lover. who
doubtless was thoroughly convinced ofthel
strength 81 her love, illustrated as it was by |
such desperate proof:
This case proves (and any one YOU may
be likely to meet with similar ones) that YOU
should always keep on hands, TO be had re-
course to at any moment, all of the antidotes
% the poisons, and the reagents necessary to
detect them. Had not these preparations
BY me at the time | was called upon in the
above case, death would probably have en-
'ued in less than one hour, and a valuable
md useful life sacrificed.
From the brief and rather desultory remarks
have just made, you will perceive the neces-
ity of studying thoroughly the various sci
.nces which will be taught you this session
Lnd although 10 more necessary than the
'ther branches Of your education, you will
'e impressed with the indlspensabIeness of
-pylying yourselves to chemistry, if you ex-
'ect ever to excel in your profession It is
therefore, to be hoped that you will devote a
mall portion of your time at least, to the
cienee whose laws take cognisance of every
hing animate and inanmate upon this earth.
3efore closing permit me to make few re-
marks upon subject which must be interes-
ing to US all mean that change which is {
onstantly ensuing around us-that uneasy
lg motion of atoms whose affinitives involved
he destiny Of every animate and inanimate S
hing. To imagine such a thing asresf would L
e suggesting but the reign of chaos; for
very created thing involves in its existence. Ie
he law Of universal change, of constant mo-
on Would yoa ifaagne the solid. compact /
gate creature Of incessant change2 Elk
mine it and by aid Of the highest powers of i
he Microscope, you viii perceive its particles a
] increasing activity. 1t is in the world of 1
Inmate molecules that you viii be struck t
Nth this great law of change; and by taking y
ognisance Of it, you will derive lessons
rought with the utmost wisdom. You will t
earn that with each moment of time, from t
hat Of birth till that OF your final dissolution C
nd thence to the dispersion of your bodies s
ato their ultimate Constituents, that change. L
hat activity. i constantly ensuing MOT a |