The action of the vapor of hydrosulphate of ammonia, which is also commonly pres ent in cesspools, etc., is probably much the same as that of sulphureted hydrogen. The experiments of Dr. Herbert Barker show, however, that these matters do not produce similar symptoms on dogs (On Malaria and Miasmata, p. 212).
Many of the gases, which are only found as products of the laboratory, are in the highest degree poisonous, as arseniureted hydrogen, caeodyl, etc.; but as few persons run the risk of inspiring them, it is unnecessary to enter into any details regarding them.
We now turn to the consideration of the poisons not included in the definition, which, for want of a better, we have adopted. The poisons that may affect the body by direct introduction into the circulation, through a puncture or abrasion, may be derived from the mineral, the vegetable, or the animal kingdom; but, with a few exceptions (as, for example, wourali poison, q.v.). the poisons derived from the mineral and vegetable kingdoms would act as efficiently if introduced into the stomach as if injected into the circulating blood; while the animal poisons act only by direct introduction into the blood, and are inert when introduced into the stomach. Poisoned wounds derived from the dissection of recently dead bodies, commonly known as dissecting wounds, are occa sionally attended with most alarming symptoms, and often terminate fatally. In the case of Dr. Pett, quoted by Travers in his work On Constitutional Irritation, the symp toms on the third day were "a haggard and depressed countenance; violent shiverings, followed by some degree of heat; extreme alteration in appearance; countenance suf fused with redness; the eyes hollow and ferrety; some difficulty of breathing, which was sudden, irregular, and amounting almost to sighing; excessive torpor, and the whole aspect resembling one who had taken an overdose of opium: on the following day there was extreme exhaustion and feebleness, and death ensued on the fifth day." The symp toms produced by the bites and stings of insects, arachnidans, and serpents, and the treatment that should be adopted, are described in the article VENOMOUS ANIMALS, BerEs AND STINGS or. The poisoned wounds derived from diseased animals are sufficiently discussed in the articles GLANDERS and HYDROPHOBIA.
in paint of law, the use of poison to kill or injure a human being or certain animals, renders the poisoner amenable to the criminal courts. Whh regard to the sale of poisons, the legislature found it to put some restrictions on one description—viz., arsenic—in order to prevent persons obtaining it with facility, and in such a manner as to avoid detection. The 14 and 15 Vie. c. 13, requires every person who sells arsenic to enter in his books the date and quantity and purpose of its use, and later acts apply this rule to other poisons. It is not to be sold to one who is unknown to the vender unless in presence of a witness who is known, and whose place of abode is recorded in the hook. The arsenic must also be mixed with soot or indigo, in the proportion of -A- oz. of
soot or indigo to the pound. All the boxes, bottles, etc., must be labeled "poison." Those who offend as to arsenic incur a penalty of £20; but, in ordinary prescriptions, poisons may be used in the ordinary way by duly qualified medical practitioners. As to the restriction on the sale of other poisons, see CHEMIST. The offenses committed by those who administer poisons to mankind are as follows: Whoever causes death by poison commits murder, for the means are immaterial if the death was caused by such means with a felonious intent.. Where death is not caused, nevertheless whoever administers poison, or causes it to be administered to any person, with intent to commit murder is guilty of felony, and is liable to penal servitude for life, or for not less than 3 years. Moreover, whoever attempts to administer poison, or other destructive thing, to any person ivith intent to commit murder, is guilty of felony, and is punishable in the same way. These offenses are committed whether the poison administered, or attempted to be administered, does injury or not; and it is a sufficient committing of the offense if the poison is put in such a place that a party was likely, and was intended to take it. Moreover, even though murder was not intended, but merely an intent to endanger life or inflict grievous bodily harm, still the offense is felony, and is punishaple by penal servitude varying from 3 to 10 years. There is also a similar punishment for the attempt to administer any stupefying drug. Not only is it a crime to administer, or attempt to administer poison to human beings, but if cattle are maliciously killed by poison, the offense is felony, punishable by penal servitude of from 3 to 14 years. So to kill by poison any dog, lord, beast, or other animal, ordinarily kept in a state of confinement, is an offense punishable by justices of the peace with imprisonment for 6 months, or a fine of £20 over and above the injury done. If any person lay poison on lands to kill game, he incurs a penalty of £10. And though tenants of farms, when entitled to kill the game on the estate, may kill hares without having taken out any game certificate, yet they are prohibited from killing such hares by poison. Moreover. by a recent act, 26 and 27 Vic. c. 1113, extending to the United kingdom, whoever sills, or offers to sell poisoned grain, seed, or meal, incurs a penalty of £10. Whoever sows, lays, or puts on ground such poisoned grain incurs a like penalty. The use of poisoned flesh is also pro hibited. But the sale or use of any solution, material, or ingredient for dressing, protecting, or preparing any grain or seed for agricultural use only, if used bond fide, is not interfered with.