Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-01-23
Thursdays Proceedings.

~
PRoF. b. HOWARD RAND, recalled 1t
would not change my opinion, in the hypo
thetical case stated, if the deceased had
twenty-four hours before taken two bites of
arum triphyllum. In most cases where ar
senic is taken it is in large quantities, and
hence a certain quantity passes out Of the
stomach whilst the balance remains Ar
senic, when taken in large dose. is rapid
ly fatal poison, and death ensues before the
stomach has had time to eject the irritant
Again, In some cases, the stomach is much
less tolerant OF the poison than in others,
and the vomiting and purging are less ur-
gent. In these cases, the arsenic would be
much less likely to be expelled from the
stomach, and would be found there in lar
ger quantities.
Gross eranaiaed The probability of find
ing arsenic in the stomach would be increas-
ed by the shortening OF time between its ia
king and death. The medical opinions [
have given are based upon the books the
chemical opinions upon my own observations
Where the arsenic was taken within "A
hours before death, and where there was
little vomiting, under the general rule, it
would be found in the stomach Practical
ly, as far as my observations go, in the ex-
animal on of remains, not less than the
three hundredth part of grain of arsenic
could be detected. The smallest quantity
of arsenic In organic matter that might
be detected as giving presumptIye evidence,
L can only opproxlmate-say perhaps the
T50th part OF grain. If taken within from
"a to As hours before death, under the gen.
eral rule, arsenic would be found in the
stomach. In cases where arsenic has not
been found in the stomach on analysis, it
had also disappeared from the coatings of
the stomach altogether. There are cases
where arsenic has been found in the earth
surrounding the exhumed body. 1t has
sometimes been found in the SOL of ceme-
terles. The symptoms of poisoning from
arsenic vary very much. 1t will depend
upon the dose, whether large or small wheth-
er single dose or repeated doses, whether
on full or empty stomach, on the general
strength of the patient, and on his or her
susceptibility to arsenical poison. With a
full dose of arsenic, one capable of causing
death, there is general resemblance in the
symptoms in the recorded cases, with few
exceptions. From y to ) grains is the
minimum dose that will prove fatal you
may say from to grains. Arsenic is a
heavy substance, and three grains would lie
on the beyelled portion of the blade of a
pen knife The time in which death ensues
after taking arsenic, varies from five hours
to twenty days-sixteen days is the longest,
best marked recorded case. 4 lingering
death generally pre-supposeS a small dose,
though In the case mentioned a large dose
was taken, but remedial agents applied The
average period of death, where fatal dose
is given, is about , hours. Arsenic acid is
used in certain prints, and might also add
that arsenic acid is also poisonous Arse
NOUS acid is the white or ordinary arsenic
Arsenic acid is different article, and is used
In making dye as an oxydizing agent, but the
arsenic does not enter into the com position
The green In coiored paper is Schweinfurth' s
green-a compound of copper and arsenic
Acute gastrltis arises from other causes
than arsenic. Acute gastritis is inhamma-
tion of the lining membrane of the stomach
Any powerful irritant taken into the stomach
would have tendency to produce gastritis
The strict chemical name for orpiment is
suiph- arsenious acid or ter-su phide of Ar
senie Orpiment can only be produced
by combination of sulphur and arsenic.
a substance similar in appearance might be
found in dead body, and not contain arsen-
lc. Orpiment would not be detected by
Reinsch' test think it might by Marsh s
test. [ am familiar with the test employed
by Mr.. Williams. am satisfied If the stom-
ach had contained arsenic, he would have dis
covered 1t. The absorption would begin iu
the duodenum; it would not remain in the
membrane but would enter into the viscera
of the whole body. We have no recorded
cases of the effect of the ordinary indian
turnip (arum triphyllum, when taken into
the stomach The acridity of the indian tur-
nip is much lost by drying 1t is used, when
dry, as an expectorant in coughs and colds.
Copeland's Medical Dictionary is an accept
ed authority. The European plant, called
the Wake Robin (arum macculattum) is
different species from our indian turnip, but
plants of the same genus have generally
the same properties. Wood & Bache' is
medical authority. In the arum maccu-
From the general character of the indian
turnip, if the root We're taken into the stom-
ach, the tendency would be to produce acute
gastritls. LII gastrltls existed, Its iRtFoduc-
tion would intensity the symptoms The
symptoms of poisoning by arsenic are differ
ent from those that would be produced by the
vegetable irritant When arsenic is admins
tered, the symptoms are soon Observed
they are more violent at first than they are
subsequently, but they do not cease. From
my examination of the remains, L cannot
tell what quantity of arsenic was taken.
From my chemical examination, could not
say whether sufficient quantity had been
taken to produce deoth or not, nor could |
say that arsenic was the cause of this man
death A teaspoonful of arsenic, [ think
l could safely say, would contain more than
sixty grains-but this is enly guessing. My
own opinion is that the quantity of arsenic
taken up into the system by absorption, is too
small in quantity to have any effect in retard-