On poisons, in relation to medical jurisprudence and medicine.

  • Taylor, Alfred Swaine, 1806-1880.
Date:
1859
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On poisons, in relation to medical jurisprudence and medicine. 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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    ON POISONS. CHAPTEE 1. TOXICOLOGY. SIBANING OF THE TERM POISON. SALINE SIEDICINES POISONOUS IN LARGE DOSES. — COMMON SALT AND EPSOM SALT. WHITE HELLEBORE. HIERA PICRA. OIL OF TURPENTINE. DEADLY POISON.—SAL VOLATILE GREEN VITRIOL. MEDICAL DEFINITION. — LEGAL DEFI- NITION. By Toxicology (derived from ro^uchv, poison, and \6yos, discourse) we are to understand that branch of medical science which relates to the history and properties of poisons, and of their effects upon the livmg body. This subject is commonly regarded and treated as a part of Medical Jurisprudence ; but the number and im- portance of the facts connected with poisons which have been accumulated of late years, have justly contributed to raise toxi- cology to the rank of a distinct science. To the physician the pathologist and the medical jurist, a knowledge of the subject 'is of great importance: for cases are continually presenting themselves m which a practical application of the principles of this science IS demanded ; as, lor example, in the treatment of a person la- bouring under the effects of poison, in drawing a clear distinction between changes produced in the body by disease and those caused by poison, or finally in aiding the criminal law in con- victing those who have been guilty of tlie crime of poisonino- JJefininon.—A Poison is commonly defined to be a substance which, when administered in small quaniihj, is enpablc of actinn- dele eriously on the body; and in popular language it is conlined o substances which (lostroy life in small doses. It is. obvious that the above dchnition is too restricted for the purposes of medicnl jurisprudence. It would, if admitted, exclude a kirge ch s of suustanccs the poisonous properties of which cannot be disimtcd-