Zincum muriaticum

Volume IV — Main text

Zincum miiriaticum, Zincic chloride, ZnCl,.

II. Poisonings. — 1. A woman, set. 28, swallowed an ounce of a strong solution. Two h. after she was seen by Mr. AUanson j she was lying in bed, on her back, in a state of great excitement. Face was flushed, eyes turned upwards; frothy saliva was issuing from mouth ; hands and feet were cold, pulse scarcely perceptible. She was perfectly conscious, and complained of burning in mouth, throat, and stomach. Tongue was found swollen, and buccal mucous mem* brane red ; there was no excoriation. Patient died 4 h. after taking poison. While she survived there was frequent vomiting; but the most prominent symptom was severe pain in stomach and throat. She was quite rational, and could speak till within a few m. of death. Body was inspected 53 h. after death. It showed no signs of decomposition. On opening abdomen, stomach was seen much distended, of pale leaden hue, veins dark and prominent. Under surface of liver, where in contact with stomach, had same pale hue. Intestines were healthy, as were other viscera. On removing stomach, it was found to contain a quantity of fluid, probably some of the milk which had been administered. Coats of stomach were of consistence of thin tripe ; they were much thickened at pyloric end ; apparently none of the fluid taken had passed the pylorus. Well-marked papillas, of dirtywhite colour, covered whole mucous membrane. CEsophagus wai much inflamed, epithelium white and detached, appearing like a false membrane. Lungs and heart were quite healthy. Head was not examined. Stomach, examined 3 weeks later, free from putrefaction, though weather was hot. (Pereira, 9p. at.)