Kalium cyanatum
by Richard Hughes & Jabez P. Dake — A Cyclopaedia of Drug Pathogenesy
Volume IV — Appendix
KALI CYANATUM.
(See vol. i, pp. 31, 35 j ii, p. 7*4.)
II. 27. a, A photographer, at. 24, took with suicidal intent an BiH
known quantity about 9 a.m. His neighbours, hearing a fall, entered hi(
room and found him stretched on the ground unconscious. After havinj
vomited some fluid matter, he was taken to the hospital. At ifll*
was in profound coma ; skin cold, covered with viscid sweat ; coidnesH
extremities ; intense cyanosis of face ; eyes protruding, turned upffinl!
and outwards, not covered by lids ; considerable dilatation and absoluR
immobility of pupils ; flow from mouth of a spumo-sanguinok*"
saliva; breath smelling strongly of prussic acid. Trismus was marked i
there were disseminated ecchymoses in bucco-pharyngeal cavity, »iw'
whitish eschar on the r. side of the vault and veil of the palate ; tongue
was drawn back over glottis. Limbs were in complete resolution ; ib'"
was entire loss of sensibility and reflex excitability. Breathing **
very slow, deep, convulsive, and presenting somewhat prolonged piust*
a tracheal rale was perceptible both in respiratory acts and in pauWf
Pulse was very small, 120, and at times intermittent. Sonorous rik
were disseminated throughout chest. Cardiac impulse imperceptible
heart-sounds distinct^ but dull and irregular. Temp. 36*2 only. Involul
tary micturition. 5ss of sulphuric ether was injected subcutaneousl
and stomach then washed out till rhc water had no longer the odouti
bitter almonds. Patient's condition, however, rapidly became won
resp. growing more irregular and pulse smaller notwithstanding d
peatcd injections of ether. He was then placed in a hot bath, ai
iced water was poured over head and nape. Every time water «
poured on head, patient drew deep inspirations; gradually brcathu
oecame deeper and more regular, and all dangerous symptoms had dis- »pptared after an h. At 7 p.m. patient had completely regained consciousness ; and complained of sharp occipital and gastric pains. Convalescence was rapid ; but a general muscular weakness and impairment of speech lasted for a long time. (Muller-Warneck, Berl, Kl. mchtnschrifi^ Feb. 4th, 1878.)