Cases and observations in medical jurisprudence / by Alfred S. Taylor.

  • Taylor, Alfred Swaine, 1806-1880.
Date:
1864
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Cases and observations in medical jurisprudence / by Alfred S. Taylor. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    r jwM'.CAaXA 1 j i CASES AND OBSERVATIONS IN MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE. By ALFRED S. TAYLOR, M.D., F.R.S. 1. Chronic Poisoning by Mercury through the Skin and Lungs. Death after four years. The notes of the following singular case of chronic poisoning by mercury were taken by Mr. Herbert Spurgin, clinical clerk. Richard B—, set. 32, a furrier, living in Loman Street, Southwark, was admitted December 10th, 1863, under the care of Dr. Bees. He is a well-made man, not at all emaci- ated, married, with two children; was formerly footman to a gentleman living at Clapham, and always enjoyed excellent health. Four years ago he first began his present occupation, which is to pack up the skins of animals (rats, neuters, &c.) that have been washed with an acid solution of mercury and afterwards dried, a process which is supposed to soften the skins and thereby render them more suitable to be after- wards made up into wide-awake hats. (He has only been employed in packing the skins, not being occupied in that part of the process which consists in drying the skins, and thus evolving fumes of mercury.) For the first three years, he did nor suffer much inconvenience from his occupation beyond feeling some general weakness. About twelve months ago he found he could not hold his hand steady enough to shave him- self, and he soon after lost complete control over his limbs, and his friends told him he was nervous. He went as an