Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-07-27

\ month or two ago a statemen, was pub
liShcd of photographer, who, not cleansing
a plate thoroughly that had been treated with
nitric acid, submitted it 10 the action of his
silvcry solution the nitric acid released the
hydrocyanic acid of the cyanide, and the man
was falling inscnsiblc, when he placed his
hand on 4 bottle of ammonia, inhaled the
vapor, and was saved This must be received
cum grano sails the solution was constantly
evolving hydrocyanic acid, and it is not prob
able that its effects were so instantaneous as
! represented, even when released ia volume by
/ the acid.
I The anhydrous prussic acid, obtained from
the black cyanuret, is very dangerous, being
almost instantly fatal when respircd, but the
diluted acid may be inhaled without fatal con-
sequences. though very unpleasant symptoms
are always present.
The workmen employed in factories where
electro gliding and silveriug are conducted,
are great sufferers; their hands are covered
with ulcers on the dorsal surface, the skin
about the joints are fssured, an oozing Of
blood often takes place, and the soft parts are
ulcered 10 the bone. The surface of the baths
are constantly evolving hydrocyanic acid, and
, those exposed long time to the vapor are
afflicted with dull headache, accompanied by
shooting pains in the forehead, noises in the
ear. vertigo, and difficult respiration making
the modern process quite as deletcrious,as the
mercurial process it superseded.
In poisoning by this fatal salt, the symp-
toms occur with such violence and rapidly.
that unless the remedies are at hand, there is
no time 10 apply treatment. The administra-
ton of n weak solution of the green sulphate
of iron green vtrioD would have the effect
of decompoSing the poison and converting it
TO Ferri ferrocyanurcmm (PruSsian blue)
Diluted aqua ammonia spirit of IIartshorn
mixed with water) should be applied TO the
nosiTlS and trIcrions of compound Camphor
llnimCnt TO the chest. 4 stream of cold water
suffered TO fall from height on the region of
the spine will often be eiectual when other
remedies have failed.
These antdoteS, with exception of the sui
phatc Of iron, are employed in all cases of
poisoning by PrusSic acid as well as cyanide
of Potassium. But in all these remedies it
must be rccollected, that nothing but the most
prompt and active measures will be of any
effect
Will append an extract from a letter, which
friend has permitted me TO copy, TO show
how necessary it is for those that employ this
fatal drug, to have the necessary an,idotes at
bori my, Jeor b.,a ,oaIon
choly intelligence 10 communicate ; our mu-
tual friend Mr.. --, at whose residence we
both have spent many happy hours, has been
most drcadfullv visited BY an affecting dispcn-
saticn oi fTUvldcnce, ana ms fanny are
plunged in the deepest distress. His amiable
lady, accompanies hy her beautiful and only
child, very intelligent little girl barely four
years cid, visited the office of photographer
for the purpose of procuring dasuerreotypes.
After the operation, and while the mother was
examining the picture just taken, the child
took up bowl containing, as she imagined,
water and drank it. Unfortunately, II was
solution Of cyanide Of Potassium, carelessly
placed by the operator on a table in his reccp-
ton room. The falling of the child attracted
the attention of the mother, and must leave
You to imagine her horror and despair, on dis
covering her darling child PROSTATE on the
floor, in the agonies of death. was called IN
Immediately, but before I arrived the vital
spark was extinct. | shall never forget the
settled grief of the father and the frcnzcd
anguish Of the mother, when announced the
impossiblity Of recalling ,heir offspring to
life" J. J.. l..
The next essay shall be on subject pecu-
liarly appropoS to the season. That is, on
poisoning from animal food.