Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-12-10

Inherent times guests IN the hotel were
taken violently SICK with all symptoms
OF poisoning, and the unfortunate
circumstances were continued ut I'M
usual times and with whimsical
irregularity. The suspicious of local
authorities were aroused, and at the
instance of the state board of hoalth an
examination was ordered. Tyrotoxicon,
or milk poison. was found to be the
cause. Recent Investigations by learn
ell scientists on this subject, ami cspe-
cially the experiments OF Prof. Newton
in notable New Jersey case, have led
the profession TO believe that it was a
result Of decomposition of the animal
substances found in milk in the pro-
cess Of becoming sour. The state board
OF health cons dercd the case of su1i-
cient importance TO have the chemist of
the board, Prof. Shearel, enter into Il
thorough analysis, with valuable re-
suits. His investigation will throw
new light upon the nature OF the
poison and in some ways disprove the
conclusions of Prof Newton and
others. He made the following report:
l herewith report the results of the
analysis Of the materials supposed to
be concerned IN the Corning poisoning
case. As suggested by the local physi-
clan. DR.. Salts. made a careful exam
ination of the materials for mineral
poison, particularly arsenic. but not
the slightest trace of mineral poison
could be found. The samples of water
and flour were faultlcss. The baking
powder contained very high per cent.
Of alum. The three samples of milk,
the bread and milk of which the pa
tlents ate before thev were taken sick.
and the samples OF vomit which of
course was the result of their sickness
were all carefully examined. being
anal zed for vegetable and animal pois-
ons, and n each and all of these sam
pies a ptOmSin or animal alkaloid was
discovered, which CORES ponds to the
ptOmsin discovered in cheese, milk, ice-
cream. etc. by Prof Vaughn, of the
University of Michigan and named by
him "tyrotoXicon. or "cheesc poison.
The samples were 50 small that the
quantity OF poison recovered was Of
necessity small. yet sufficient was OBJ
tanned to show il to be definite crystal
line poison. Chemically it behaved
very much like coniinc, giving similar
reactions with suiphuric acid. The
crystal, are circular in shape, and form
salts with suphuric and acetic acids.
having the peculiar resemblance OF the
sulphatcs and acetates OF other aka
loids. ! was unable 10 form salt with
hydrochlOric acid. The poison WAS eX-
tractcd after Prof. Vaughn method,
4
in separating and purifying the poison.
Upon concentrating the ethereal solu-
ton containing the poison it assumed
the appearance of an oily liquid \
small portion of this oily liquid was
given TO half grown kitten TO test the
physiological eff cts OF the poison, with
the following results: There was 4
i CHIT frothinr ut the mouth soon after
Civ NJ the poison, which might be ac-
counted for by the unplea,antness of
thc dose. This was followed by rest lies
ness, and finally languor. half-closed
eyes, and attempts At vomiting. The
poison was gwen at noon. the symp-
toms came gradually, probably reach
inc their intensity between > and 4
o'clock T.. VI. The kitten seemed TO re-
cover completely from the effects OF the
poison. The remainder of the liquid
was allowed to cyaporatc spontaneously
and the CRYSTALS were recovered and
treated as above. They gave the reduc-
ing test upon ferricyanide of potash and
ferri chlor de-. This. however. i not n
reliable test. as milk in general will
give this reaction. a knowledge of the
existence and action Of the ptomaines
is OF great Importance not only TO the
physic ans but 10 community in general
! since these 20 SONS have their growth
in the soil Of uncleanli ness. just why
certain putrefactiye changes in cheese
| should produce tyrotoXicon and SINH
/ lar process in beef. shcll-tish or decay
/ inc vegetables and fruit should produce
/ ptomaincs CORES onding to morphine,
/ str, chime. corlinc, etc, Is question
/ that can not be answered at present IL
/ is certain that the albuminOlds or nitro
genous portions OF these materials is the
/ part concerned in the development OF
the animal alkalods. and putrefactve,
or at least retrograde changes, are nee
cssarv for their formal on. The amount
of putrescence is n some instances ex-
ceedingly small. and il is in these cases
| That the greatest udllEcI IicS' w Hdt "
all appearances is a pure and perfectly
healthy article of food may be contain
mated with one of these deadly ptom-
aines. This. however, is the exception
More often there are marked degree.
of putrefactiye changes.
The ease reported above is the ex
ception. Several guest, at a hotel il
Corning. Iowa. were taken sick after
eating of the food served on the table
with all the symptom, OF % poison. -
marked were the symptoms that sus
pcion of Grim nal poisoning were eX
cited. Close investigation soon detect
ed the milk 20 be- the cause of TIN
difficulty. The IN Tx was kept in earth
en- vessels in a refrigerator. and. atte
every prccaution was taken to keep thu
milk pure and sweet and free from con
tamination. at two succeeding interval
eases of poisoning occurred. Tn
milk was all from the same source
the landlords cow-and when used sool
after being drawn from the COW hat
no bad effects; but on standing twelv
Lo,,., soapad IN deyeloD its toxic anal