The _symptoms_ induced by these substances are those of irritation of the intestinal canal, severe pain, vomiting, diarrhœa, tenesmus, &c.; followed by collapse, cold sweats, and occasionally convulsions. These effects may also be produced by diseased and decayed vegetables.
The _treatment_ must be directed to the removal of the injurious substance by emetics, &c., unless spontaneous vomiting has freely taken place, when it need merely be encouraged by the use of diluents. If the irritant has passed out of the stomach into the intestines it must be carried off by purgatives, especially castor oil. The inflammatory symptoms should be cautiously combated, on account of the great prostration usually caused by these poisons. Opiates, emollient enemata, and fomentations to the abdomen will subsequently be found useful.
The substances which require consideration under this head, though few, are important.
_Poisonous Fish._—Several kinds of fish are constantly poisonous, while some only act injuriously on particular constitutions. The chief effects are sickness and vomiting, irritation of the eyes, depression, and severe urticaria or nettle-rash. In this country the different varieties of shell-fish are those most frequently injurious, especially cockles, mussels, crabs and such-like.
_Poisonous Meat._—The flesh of animals which have died of disease has produced serious symptoms when eaten, and has even destroyed life. Several substances, as sausages, cheese, bacon, &c., also become poisonous from putrefaction.
The _treatment_ in these instances should consist in the use of emetics, purgatives, and diluents. The vital power must be supported by stimulants, tonics, nutritious diet, &c.
The chief are chlorine, sulphurous-acid gas, nitrous-acid gas, and hydrochloric-acid gas. When diluted, they admit of being inhaled; not so when pure.
_Chlorine._—This gas has a greenish-yellow color, and a powerful suffocating odor. It is used to fumigate buildings, being a valuable disinfectant. Chlorine is employed by the calico-printer and paper-maker for its bleaching properties. The men who work in an atmosphere slightly impregnated with it suffer from dyspepsia, but are long-lived, and it has been supposed to be actually beneficial to consumptives. Any attempt to inspire chlorine in its concentrated state would at once prove fatal by closing the glottis and causing asphyxia. When diluted it excites excessive irritation of the air-passages, cough, difficulty of breathing, and inflammation.