SUPPLEMENT: ANTIMON. ET POTASS. TART.
Authorities.
55, Dr.
Mackintosh, Lancet, 1827-8 (2), 536, A. B. took 20 grains in a little sugar; 56, Usher Parsons, Bost. Med. and Surg. Journ., vol. iii, 1830,
three servants took over 40 grains each; 57, Wm. F.
Porter, M.D., Lancet, 1832 (1), p. 46, effects of a large quantity; 58,
George Lefevre, M.D., ibid., 1844 (1), p. 444, a lady swallowed 25 grains; 59, J. T. Gleaves, M.D., West. Journ. of Med. and Surg., 1848, R.
æt. twenty-four years, took a tablespoonful; 60, John
S. Beale, Lancet, 1854 (1), p. 68, a girl, æt. sixteen years, swallowed from 40 to 60
grains, death; 61, C. Ellis, M.D., Bost. Med. and Surg.
Journ., vol. lv., p. 400, fatal poisoning of Miss —, æt. twenty-one years; 62, John Gabb, Med. Times and Gaz., 1866 (2), p. 379, a man, æt.
forty-three years, took 3 teaspoonfuls; 63, Alfred
Nobiling, Versuche uber die Wirkungen des Brechweinsteines in kleiner Dose bei längerena
Fortgebrauche, München, 1868; 64, Sharp’s Essays on
Medicine, 1874, p. 725, took Ant. tart. 1st, 1 drachm; 65,
John Morley, Brit. Med. Journ., 1876, p. 492, a lady, æt. eighteen years, took over a
teaspoonful; 66, F. Mason, ibid., 1877 (1), p. 674, a
man swallowed 80 grains.►
Pustular eruptions of the tongue and lining membrane of
the mouth, of the character of those produced on the skin by the application of the
ointment, [57]. ►
Pulse 72 (before experiment); 70 (after two minutes); 72 (after five minutes); 67 (after ten
minutes); 72 (after fifteen minutes); 71 (after twenty minutes); 74 (after twenty-five
minutes); 68 (after thirty minutes); quickened by the deep breathing, 70 (after thirty-five
minutes); 72 (after forty minutes); 77 (after fifty minutes); 66 (after one, and two hours),
[64]. ► Breathings
18 (before experiment); 20 (after four minutes); 18 (after eight minutes); 14 (after twelve
minutes); 13 (after eighteen minutes); 12 (after twenty-four minutes); 10 (after
twenty-eight minutes); deep uncomfortable sighings, 8 (after thirty-four minutes); 7 (after
thirty-eight minutes); 6 (after forty-two minutes); 12 (after fifty-two minutes); 18,
natural (after one hour), [64]. ►
Rolling upon the ground in great agony, vomiting blood, and tormented by agonizing colic
pains, [58]. ► In
half an hour violent nausea was induced, but vomiting did not commence till 2 P.M. (after
three hours), after which it became more violent till three, when it seemed at its height; a
quantity of bile was at first ejected, afterwards painful strong retching, with an obtuse
fixed pain at the epigastrium, which was not always referred to the same spot, and
accompanied by great thirst; a slight discharge of mucus at intervals ensued. About 4 P.M.,
the above-mentioned symptoms gradually disappeared, and were succeeded by great and
universal prostration; two very copious, bilious stools were passed. In the evening, after
taking some tea, a profuse perspiration broke out, which appeared to be the last effect of
the medicine, [55]. ►
Unable to stand; scarcely able to speak; exhausting evacuations, both from the stomach and
bowels; weak, contracted pulse; cold clammy sweat; extreme paleness; prostration of
strength, [56]. ►
In about two hours he felt an inclination to evacuate his bowels, and the alvine discharges
continued involuntarily. Breathing slow and laborious; face pale and altered, features
shrunken; eyes fixed and turned upward, pupils dilated; surface cold; appeared to be
unconscious, but stated afterwards that he knew what was passing around him; the action of
the heart was intermitting and extremely feeble, and no pulse could be felt at the wrist (in
three hours); complained of great thirst, and a sense of burning in fauces, œsophagus,
stomach, and lower bowels (in seven hours); throat sore; fauces covered with pustules, some
of which, having discharged their matter, have left soft superficial ulcers (second day), [59]. [980.] ► Within a quarter of an hour after vomiting came on, very
sharp; and a little while after smart purging. These symptoms continued for about three
hours. She also complained of pain down the œsophagus, and described it as “burning
her.” She then fell asleep. The vomited matter was very dark. Delirious during the six
or-eight hours previous to her death, [60]. ► At 6 P.M. she complained of pain in the lower part of the
left side, and retired to her room, where she was immediately attacked with vomiting,
followed after several hours by purging, both of which continued, accompanied by burning in
the mouth, dryness of the throat and great thirst, [61].
► Lethargic expression of countenance; conjunctiva
slightly congested; general surface of body cold and clammy, with a bluish-pale appearance;
voice weak; speech slow and deliberate; vomiting and purging; violent cramp in the legs, [62]. ► After the
experiment of Dr. Mayrhofer (Heller’s Archiv. 1846) [Unfortunately inaccessible. -T. F. A.]
I began with the smallest possible dose, 1 mlgm., and gradually increased to 0.013 grm.►
September 1st, 1866. I took a solution of 1 ccm., diluted
with distilled water to 10 ccm., so that every ccm. contained 1 mlgm. of Tartar emetic.
Pulse 73. I took 1 ccm. at 8 A.M., two hours after breakfast. After an hour, not feeling the
slightest change in my condition nor in the rate of my pulse, I went about my business. 3.15
P.M., I took 2 ccm; pulse 71. After about three-quarters of an hour I felt rather
uncomfortable for a short time, pulse rose to 72 or 73, and after the disappearance of the
discomfort, returned to 71. My appetite at evening was unchanged.►
September 2d. 8 A.M., pulse 73 took 3 ccm. After
forty-five minutes some discomfort, which disappeared after twelve minutes. Appetite normal.
Pulse 71, after twenty minutes.►
September 3d. Took at the usual hour 4 ccm. Pulse 72.
After forty minutes slight headache, nausea, and very acute sticking pain in the epigastric
region, which disappeared after a quarter of an hour. Pulse 74; half an hour afterwards 70;
after half an hour’s quiet work 68. Appetite at noon diminished. 3 P.M., injected a strong
solution into the left thigh, 1/2 ccm. Pulse 73. After five minutes there was vivid redness,
associated with burning pain at the point of injection, which I relieved by cold
applications. Pulse 75. Ten minutes afterwards I experienced violent heat, headache, nausea,
weakness, which gradually increased, till after ten minutes more sweat broke out. Pule 79. I
was very much exhausted, felt great need of rest. Pulse after fifteen minutes 72. After
another quarter of an hour 67. After walking about the room the pulse rose to 73, but soon
fell to 68. In the evening I took very little food, and then felt constant burning in the
throat, even swallowing caused trouble. Increased thirst, sleep broken.►
September 4th. On waking I felt slight headache in the
skull, and had little appetite for breakfast. I took a concentrated solution, less than 1/2
ccm., about 8 mlgm. Pulse 71. After thirty-eight minutes there were the first symptoms of
discomfort, which soon disappeared, but ten minutes later returned with increased violence.
Very disagreeable sensation in the pit of the stomach, which was distended. It was very
sensitive to touch, not unlike a sticking. Constant recurrence of yawning, eructations, and
rumbling in the abdomen, which alternated with each other. I felt a burning heat in the
head, with alternations of chill and heat. There was a feeling of coldness in the hands and
feet. Pulse 74. After fifteen minutes this condition entirely disappeared and gave place to
weakness, weariness, and prostration of the limbs, so that I could scarcely rise from my
chair. Pulse 70. Nausea continued, the whole day, associated with a very disagreeable taste
in the mouth and copious secretion of saliva. I ate scarcely anything all day. The
persistent weakness caused me to go to bed earlier than usual.►
September 5th. Rose with chill, headache, and weakness of
the limbs, otherwise well; took at 8 o’clock 1 ccm. of a solution, about 1 cent. grm. of
Tartar emetic. Pulse 70. After half an hour there came on nausea, yawning, eructations,
rumbling, pain, and pressure in the epigastric region, accelerated respiration (20),
headache, burning in the throat, difficult swallowing, accumulation of saliva in the mouth,
chilliness, weakness, and retching. Pulse 75. These symptoms gradually diminished, and
disappeared entirely within half an hour. Only dulness of the head an weakness remained.
Pulse 69. I had a most violent aversion to all kinds of food, and had scarcely eaten the
soup at noon, the swallowing of which was very painful, when most violent retching came on,
but without vomiting. A disagreeable taste in the mouth obliged me to drink much cold water
all day, which afforded some relief to this symptom and to the difficulty in swallowing.
Weariness drove me early to bed, and I slept well all night. The next day I was prevented
from continuing the proving. I had no remarkable appetite; the epigastric region felt
painful; the headache persisted, but only in a slight degree. The difficulty of swallowing
was considerably relieved. The proving was also omitted on the seventh.►
September 8th. Feeling perfectly well, at 8 A.M. took 1
ccm. Pulse 74. After thirty minutes I felt the first indications of nausea. Pulse 79. With
the increasing nausea the pulse rose to 84. Violent retching, chilliness, perspiration, and
vomiting of the remains of the breakfast. Pulse 88. With increasing weakness and with
diminution of the nausea the pulse feel to 71, and half an hour later to 67. At noon I
experienced most intense aversion, becoming qualmish on even looking at food. During the day
I suffered from headache and pain in the abdomen, the latter increased in severity by the
slightest movement. At night I slept little and very uneasily.►
September 9th. I awoke with dull headache and burning in
the vertex. At breakfast had little appetite. Pulse 69. I took a solution of 12 mlgm. After
thirty-four minutes I experienced first the nausea, the epigastric region became swollen and
very painful. Pulse 72. These symptoms disappeared, but returned more violent after five
minutes, and were associated with a disagreeable metallic taste, accumulation of water in
the mouth, burning in the throat, coldness of the extremities, retching, chilliness, sweat.
Pulse 77. In order to relieve the flat taste, I drank cold water. The pulse fell to 72, but
soon rose to 79. The symptoms disappeared completely after an hour and a half. Pulse 72.
Only the weakness, dulness of the head, and pain in the throat returned. After an hour and a
quarter I counted 65 weak beats of the heart. Through the day I had copious secretion of
saliva and no appetite. On the following days I was prevented from continuing the
experiment, but I was extremely weak and prostrated. The eyes were surrounded by blue rings,
and lay deep in their sockets. The headache left me for only short periods. The difficulty
in swallowing had entirely disappeared. Pulse 69 and 70.►
September 12th. I made a new experiment; I injected a
solution directly into a vein. For this purpose I took a concentrated solution, and injected
it into a superficial vein in the left forearm, 1/2 ccm. of a strong solution, amounting to
5 mlgms. I had scarcely emptied the syringe when I experienced a raging headache, saw sparks
of fire, had burning heat in the face, and distressing pressure in the brain; at the same
time there was violent præcordial anxiety. I suffered from dyspnœa, it became black before
the eyes, I reeled, so that I was obliged to sit down; I vomited green masses with great
effort. At the same time there was very free hæmorrhage from the place of the injection,
which was stopped only by persistent compression. Through the day I felt very weak, as after
a terrible illness. Unfortunately it had been impossible to count the pulse, on account of
the violence of the symptoms.►
September 13th. Headache and pain in the stomach
continued; there fore I took only 7 mlgms., after which there was nausea but no vomiting.
The pulse rose within thirty-four minutes from 75 to 79, and an hour later fell to 70.
Little appetite. On this day slight diarrhœic stool.►
September 14th. I injected about 1 1/4 centgm. into the
left forearm. Pulse 68. There was immediately violent burning at the point of injection,
which became very red. The face became hot; I experienced violent headache in the vertex and
pressure in the brain, and a very anxious sensation in the pit of the stomach, nausea,
retching, chilliness, and after twenty-five minutes vomiting of green masses, with outbreak
of copious perspiration. Pulse 80, very small. The whole day I was very weak and unfit for
any effort. On the two following days I could not make any experiments, but the headache
continued, there were sensitiveness in the epigastric region, complete loss of appetite, and
diminished power of digestion.►
September 17th. In the morning I drank 1 1/4 centgm. The
condition was tolerable. Pulse 72. After half an hour symptoms previously observed returned.
Pulse 83. Headache and weariness lasted through the day. Sleep at night short, restless;
diarrhœa.►
September 18th. In spite of the unpleasant remembrance of
the former injection, I attempted it again, injecting 3/4 centgm. directly into a vein on
the left forearm. Pulse 75. This was followed by frightful headache, heat of the face,
vision of sparks, very anxious sensation in the stomach, in short, the same symptoms as
after the former injection. On this day I examined my urine with Nitric acid and under the
microscope. After the Nitric acid there was slight turbidity, and I found under the
microscope desquamated epithelium of the uniferous tubes. This appearance of albumen in the
urine warned me, on account of Maryrhoffer’s proving, that I must discontinue further
experiments on myself. The turbidity of the urine lasted two days; the pain in the stomach
and head and difficulty in swallowing disappeared after three days, and the appetite
returned. But even after two months there were frequently recurring troubles in digestion,
reminding me of my proving. It was noteworthy that during the proving I lost seven pounds in
weight. [63]. ►
Immediately experienced a metallic taste in the mouth. In a short time she felt sleepy and
powerless; black specks floated before her eyes, and she had to go to bed, where she lay
rolling about and became faint, with cold perspirations. At 3 P.M. she vomited her dinner,
and was purged, and again vomited two or three times. She had pain in the lower part of the
abdomen, with severe cramps in the lower extremities. At 5 P.M. she was in a state of
extreme prostration, with tetanic spasms of the legs. With great difficulty the legs were
straightened, which gave great relief. She suffered from enteritis for about three weeks,
and gradually recovered. The only other effect of the poison was that the hair began to fall
out soon after the illness. She is now alive and well, but the air on the crown of her head
is very thin, [63]. ►
Violent vomiting; violent and frequent recurring cramps of the legs, relieved by forcible
extension, [66].
SUPPLEMENT: ANTIMON. ET POTASS. TART.
Authority.
67, Dr. Molin,
Des Spécifiques en Médecine, Paris, 1847 (Brit. Journ., vol. vi, 1858, p. 118).
Observation 1.
► Being in a
good state of health, my pulse beating 64 per minute, I took at 8 A.m., before breakfast, 5
milligrams of Tartar emetic in water. This dose was repeated for five days without
perceptible effect. The sixth day I felt nothing until 4 P.M. The respiration then appeared
to me a little less free. Feeling no further effects, and my appetite continuing good, I
took on going to bed about 9 o’clock, a dose of 1 centigram. The night was passed in a
restless manner, and the sleep interrupted by a fatiguing heat; I felt necessitated to drink
several times; the respiration was slightly impeded; on rising, general uneasiness,
weariness, similar to what follows a febrile fit, the mouth clammy. I took at 8 o’clock in
the morning, 1 centigram. No appetite; a simple soup for breakfast without relish. All the
day I was in the same state. About 5 P.M., greater uneasiness, especially about the
epigastric region; nausea; desire to vomit, but without result; respiration more impeded;
short dry cough, pretty frequent; great thirst; heat in the head; white tongue; drinks
appear always too sweet; clammy mouth; two loose evacuations during the day; palpitation of
the heart; bruised feeling and general weariness, compelling me to go to bed at 8 o’clock.
The ear applied to the chest gave evidence of nothing abnormal, except that the respiration
appeared much too rough. At 9 o’clock I took another dose of 5 milligrams. Agitated sleep,
difficult respiration, feeling of pressure on the chest during sleep. At 5 A.M., I was
awakened by a violent rigor, it lasted twenty minutes, and was followed by heat; the pulse,
which had been little affected during the two previous days, increased to 78, was full and
strong; skin hot; face red; thirst urgent; heat in the head; pretty strong palpitation of
the heart; slight burning at the stomach; fulness and inclination to vomit; respiration very
much impeded; feeling of pressure and constriction of the chest; cough frequent, and a
little moister; on auscultation, the respiration appeared rougher than the previous evening,
and deep inspiration was accompanied by slight pain under the left nipple. Night very
agitated; nightmare; disagreeable dreams. I felt much the same in the morning as I had the
previous day, but deemed it advisable not to carry the experiment further. During the
subsequent days, the following symptoms occurred. The tenth day no stool; towards evening,
pulse 72; respiration somewhat less difficult; cough the same; hardly any pain in the side;
great thirst; a good deal of uneasiness; no inclination to vomit; night, a little less
restless. The eleventh day, a little less roughness of respiration on auscultation;
cessation of the pain; pulse nearly normal; skin still hot; thirst less; uneasiness
diminished; appetite in part returned; respiration still obstructed; cough a little less;
the night more tranquil. Twelfth day, appetite; breathing nearly free; the cough continues;
still a little uneasiness; scarcely any thirst; tranquil night. The symptoms continued to
diminish the subsequent days, so that by the eighteenth there remained no trace of
indisposition, except slight cough, which persisted some time longer. Not being sufficiently
edified by this single experiment, three months subsequently, I commenced another.
Observation 2.
► During
eight days, I took each morning, 5 milligrams of Tartar emetic, without feeling anything.
The ninth day, at 8 P.M., I took another dose of 1 centigram; night somewhat disturbed; the
respiration appeared somewhat less free, but that was not very distinct. The tenth day, on
rising, a little weariness; I again took 1 centigram. During the day I had some uneasiness;
mouth clammy; little appetite; breathing impeded. About 10 P.M., I took another close of 5
milligrams; sleep very disturbed, and towards morning uneasiness, especially at the
epigastrium; some nausea; loss of appetite; respiration impeded; a watery stool at night;
great fatigue; urgent thirst. From the morning of the eighth day the cough appeared, and
went on increasing; it is short, frequent, and painful; auscultation gave no results. At 9
A.M., 1 centigram was taken. In the course of the day, rigor, which lasted half an hour,
with burning in the head and beating of the heart; thirst; inclination to vomit; pulse 80,
strong; skin hot; cough dry and painful; considerable difficulty of respiration; sensation
of weight on the chest; auscultation shows rough respiratory sounds; general bruised
feeling. This state continued all day and night, which was very much disturbed by strange
and fatiguing dreams. There were two watery stools during the twenty-four hours. The
following days the symptoms declined, but more slowly than the first time, so that by the
twenty-fifth day I had not entirely recovered my health, [67].® 2000
Article