The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-12-09
ARSENIC INEBRIETY.
Pecuiiariiies of n Man Who Took From
12 to 20 Grains of the Drug Daily.

An English veterinary surgeon and train.
er, who had greatly exaggerated fear Of
death, had commenced the taking of arsenic
in the belief that It would protect him
against fevers. He had continued it on &C.
count of its stimulative properties, and con-
suited the doctor only after the i'll effects of
the habit had manifested themselves. Up
to 1880 he was in good health, and did his
work we'll, although he was then taking
from one to two drachms of Fowler's solu-
ton of arsenic every day or second day on
account of exhausted and "bad feelinR.n
For four years he wandered from place to
place, doing service as trainer and horse
doctor, and during this time the use OF
arsenic had steadily increased, until he was
taking three ounces of Fowler's solution in
day. The ordinary dose of the drug is
five drops three times day. He often
found it difficult to procure 50 large guam
tity of solution, so he commenced to use
powder, of which no ate fifteen or twenty
grains day.
His appearance ut the tine was that of
man in good health. His face was full, and
the skin clear and white. The eyes were
brilliant, though somewhat unsteady, and
when talking the facial muscles moved in.
ordinately. His countenance showed no
wrinkles or marked lines. His walk had
become deliberate and hesitating, and the
sensibility of his skin was diminished. He
complained of rheumatic stiffness, which
was very pronounced when he was deprived
of his usual dose Of arsenic At timet he
ate an inordinate amount of food, and then
he would abstain from eating for n week or
more. For year his sleep had been broken
by bad dreams he would wake up covered
with perspiraiion, and his mind was filled
with vague and depressing fears. When he
awoke in the morning he felt sense of ex-
haus!ion and pressure all over the body
which steadily grew worse until the arsenic
was taken. One hour after taking the drug
all the bad feeling passed away, and a sense
of quiet exclamation prevailed, which form.
erly had been marked, but at last was short
er and less distinct. Breathing became diff
fcult through any general exertion before
taking the drug, but after taking it no such
trouble was observed. Tho heart was dis
turbed functionally, and he complained of
failure of memory and general indisposi
ton to work. He was always in doubt as
to what course of action would be best for
him to pursue, and was filed with fears
and dread of mistakes, particularly when
the effects of the arsenic wore away. Even
after taking the usual dose the indisposition
to work continued. He could not concen-
trate his mind long ON any topic at any
time. At times lie would be very emotional,
laughing and crying at unimportant incl
dents; then he would become oblivious to
all emotion. Pride in dress and appear
ance seemed to furnish the only pleasure Of
his life. He would dress himself with great
care, and then pass his time in stable or
ON hotel stoop, gazing out into space in
silence. As the effect of the drug wore off
he would become boastful and excitable. Al
such times his judgment was bad, but
when he had recently taken the drug his
Judgment was generally correct.