The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-11-28

arianism they often try to escape from 1t
by flying into the desert, "alleging as
an excuse that although the distemper
is a messenger from Heaven sent to call
them to beJler world, yet, being con-
scious of their own unworthiness, ana
that they do not merit this special mark
of grace, they think it more advisable 10
decline for the present"
Poisons, OF which Mr.. Trimbs treats,
have played a very important part in The
history of the world. In the sixteenth
and seventeenth centuries, and more
particularly 10 the hands of Pope Alex
ander VI, and his Infamous son, they
were regular engine of state-cralt, ana
| the powder and poisoned ring OF the
| Borgias obtained an unenvlable notori-
ETY.. Chemistry was then in its infancy,
and such a dread of secret poisoning
pervaded all classes of society that there
is no doubt that many guiltless persons
must have fallen victims to the panic
created by the crimes OF few. Medl-
Gated gloves, bouquets and handker-
chiefs were sometimes used to convey
the subtle agent OF death, but more com.
monty it was introduced into the lood
or drink, Aqua Tofano-so named after
the hag who invented twas credited
with the death of six hundred people in
Rome, and Was preparation OF arsenic;
w
in vogue with Cardinals and personages
still more exalted, was common sugar
| of lead. Laurel water was the
poison employed in very remark
able case-that of Captain Donel'
Ian-in 1901. lie was needy, unprinci-
pied, unscrupulous man, and his wife
had young brother, Sir Theodosius
Baughton, to whose estate she was the
nearest heir. This reVersionary inter
est, it was alleged, combined with the
Captains pecuniary difficulties, formed
the motives for the crime which he con-
ceiVed and carried out. His brother-in-
law had some slight ailment for which
he received soma walls OF medicine from
an apothecary, upon swallowing one oil
which he suddenly fell back in tit, and
died almost Immediately, ioaming at the
mouth. IL was afterwards proved that
Captain Donellan had sLill in which
t ne prepared laurel-water, and that he
showed suspicious alacrity, after the
death OF Sir Theodo5ius, in rinsIng out
the vial which had contained the fatal
draught. On this evidence he was con-
demned and hanged AZ w WarWlck, in spite
of certain exculpatory medical evidence
which was had 10 the effect that fatal
fit might have been induced by the re-
. vusion caused by swallowing nauseous
} edicine.
Then comes an amusing anecdote oil
Sir Walter Scott's experience OF the lac.
ulty in small English town where his
servant fell sick, and he was under the
= necessity of sending Tor doctor. There
were two in the town, one VINO had been
. long established, and one q newcomer
: The latter gentleman was fortunately
found at home, and lost no time in obey
ing Sir Walters summons, who, looking
! up when he entered, saw before MIN
crave sagaciou5-loOking man, attired IL
, black, with shovel-hat, in whom, to hi!
utter astonishment, he recognized {
: Scottish blacksmith, who had formerly
I practiced with considerable success as {
! Veterinary operator in the neighDorhooC
OF Ashestlel, "HOW in all the world, ,
. exclaimed Sir w alter, "came you here
/ Can 1t he possible that t4is is John Lun
) dieF"
sin truth it is, your Honor-just a
that's for lim."
"Well, let us hear. You were
horse doctor before, now it seem
you are man doctor. How do you sc
) on?"
"Onl Just extraordinary we'll; fo
a your nonOr maun ken that my practlc
+ IS very sure and orthodox. l depend Ell
l Lirely On tWa stmples."
And what may their names be? Per
= haps it is secret?
''Pll tell your Honor" Gin a low tone !;
''my Two simples are JusL laudamy an,
calamy."
samples, with vengeancew replie
J., sir Waiter. "But, John, do you neve
i happen to kill any fyour patientsp
"kiIlP Ou, ay. May be sac. While
I they dee ana whiles no; but it's will {
u Providence. Onyhoo, your Honor
K it will be lang before it makes up 70
Il FIodden."
= The use of anesthetics, Mr.. limbs tell
t us, was partially known TO the ancients
!, PIiny states that the juice OF mandra
u CORA was used, before incisi0ns Wer
II made Into the body, to produce insens
IL Dility to pain; and the Chinese, in th
: third century OF our era, were accus
~ toned to administer drug for the sam
Vi purpose, supposed to be Indian heml
N During the Middle Ages mandrake,
Ce compound of mandrake and opium, an
VI poGion composed Of opium, mulberry
u' lettuce, and variety of other h4rb
y was used to accomplish the same ent
VI while in our day Sir James Simpson di
II covered in chloroiorm a safe, an efec
w ual and an easily administered ane!
re tnelic agent, which has robbed the SUI
ol geon's knife of halt its terrors, and CO.
p IerIed an inestimable boon upon suffer
ie ers OF all ranks and ages.
-,
inn la Xu a ~ RI