Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-08-14

of irritant poisoning from eating ice
cream. The Evening Post of the SAME
date contains report from Charles
ION, H., giving an account of the
poisoning of fifty persons from the
same cause. In addition to these
vertiable epidemics of ice cream pois-
oning, we, hear almost every day of
individualsor entire families having
been poisoned by eating ice cream,
pies, and other alimentry prepare
tons.
The symptoms in all these cases are
essentially the same, viz: Burning,
colicky pains, vomiting, purging,
great prostration, sometimes convul-
sions, rarely, however, terminating
fatally. Thesymptoms are essentially
those of acute gastro-intestinal irrita-
ton, closely resembling those ofchol-
crime, and suggesting the action of an
acrid metallic poison as the exciting
cause. 1t lisa noteworthy fact, how
ever, that the most careful clinical
analysis of the offending food has al
ways failed to detect the presence of
arsenic copper, tin, or other metallic
poisons. =
1t is matter of surprise to me that
in the explanation of these toxic phe-
nomena, a possible, and in my opin-
ion, an exceedingly probable cause,
has been entirely overlooked by these
Observers. | refer to the poisonous
properties of the tlavoring extract.
1t is, to say the least, pertinent and
and suggestive fact that in all the
cases of poisoning above mentioned
vanilla has been the flavoring extract
employed.
Some time ago, while investigating
the incidental effects of drugs upon
the skin, came across a number of
references, in French and German
literature, to the local irritant action
of the vanilla bean upon the skin.
Precisely analogous effects are pro-
duced upon the mocous membranes,
besidesa train of neurotic symptoms.
These toxic phenomena have been
grouped by French authorities under
the general term "Vanillism."
In preparing vanilla for market,
the vanilla-pods are classified accord
ing to their size and quality, the quail
ty depending upon the greater or less
abundance of substance which exudes
from the pod and crystalizes upon the
surface in the shape of white, frost
like needles. In order to prevent the
dissemination of these crystals, the
pods are frequently covered with a
protective coating of the oil of cashew
nut. Cardol, or the oil of the cashew
is a most powerful irritant, simple
contact with the skin causing vesicu-
lar, erysipelatOus, and other cutane-
Gus eruptions.
The workmen employed in clean
ing, picking-over, and asserting the
vanilla pods according to their quality,
are liable to various toxic accidents,
and are often compelled to change
their vocation on this account. The
irritant effects upon the skin are first
manifest in an itching of the hands,
face, and other exposed parts. The
skin becomes swollen and the seat Of
an exceedingly pruriginous popular
eruption, more or less extended, and
which is followed by desquamation.
1t is often accompanied by blephari-
tbs, coryza, and other signs of irrita-
ton of mucous membranes.
The nervous systems are headache,
vertigo, lassitude, muscular pains,
great prostration, vesical irritation,
and sometimes genesic excitement.
Various theories have been suggested
as to the nature of the irritant prin-
ciple: Scroff attributed the toxic ac-
cidents to the cardol with which the
pods are coated. Rosenthal thought
it was because the pods were gather
ed when green, as it is well known
that the juice of the unripe fruit is an
active irritant. According to Paget,
certain class of vanilla-pods, called
VaoiLouS, which are of poor quality
entirely unfit for alimentary use, are
responsible for these accidents. BY
others it is claimed that the irritating
effects are due to the presence of par
ticular parasite, an acarus, which in
fest the pods.
In Europe the vanilla used in flavor
ing ices, pastries, etc., has been long
recognized as a prolific poisoning.
Over thirty years ago Orfila report
ed cases Of poisoning from eating va
nillo ionC Sinca fbon pupoaro,,O ooeo,