The following table exhibits these subdivisions, and some of the poisons contained in each:
{ { Sulphuric. { Strong Mineral Acids { Nitric. { { Hydrochloric. { CORROSIVES. { Vegetable Acid Oxalic. { { Alkalies { Strong Alkalies. { { Alkaline Carbonates, &c.
{ The above diluted. SIMPLE IRRITANTS { Lime. { Zinc. { Silver, &c.
{ Arsenic. { Mercury. SPECIFIC IRRITANTS { Antimony. { Phosphorous. { Iodine, &c.
{ Opium. { Prussic Acid. { Chloroform. NEUROTICS { Belladonna. { Aconite. { Strychina. { Conium. { Tobacco, &c.
_Irritant_ poisons give rise to pain in the stomach and bowels, faintness and sickness, and purging with tenesmus. The evacuations are often tinged with blood, the pulse is feeble and irregular, and the skin cold. Many of the substances of this class from irritating the tissues with which they come in contact, produce a severe burning sensation in the mouth and œsophagus, as well as in the stomach. The degree of local destructive action produced will of course vary in proportion to the amount of the vehicle with which the noxious agent may be diluted. Irritants cause death by inducing collapse or convulsions, or by exciting severe inflammation; or, after a variable interval, by leading to stricture of the œsophagus. The diseases which most resemble the action of irritants are, malignant cholera, severe diarrhœa, colic, gastritis, enteritis, rupture of the stomach or intestines, and obstruction of the bowels, mechanical or otherwise.
The symptoms of apoplexy, epilepsy, and uræmia bear a resemblance to those caused by some of the poisons of the neurotic class. Others give rise to delirum with spectral illusions or convulsions. Sometimes there is tetanus, sometimes coma or syncope. Diseases of the brain and spinal cord, likely to be confounded with these, are often very insidious in their progress, and hence may suddenly give rise to suspicious symptoms. The history, mode of attack, &c., will generally negative any suspicion of poisoning.
The first division of the Corrosive consists of the Strong Mineral Acids. In this chapter we have to review the effects, &c., of the acids commonly encountered, which are Sulphuric Acid, Nitric Acid, Hydrochloric Acid, or a mixture of two or more of them.