POISONS 'Furs is a most important subject, in many points of view. The history of poisons, like that or all the other proper ties of natural bodies, forms an important and interesting subdivision in their natural history, independently of the uses or abuses that may be made of these substances. Their action on the animal economy, whether considered as poisons or remedies, is also an important branch of me dicine and physiology. In a legal point of view, as far as criminal jurisprudence is concerned, the knowledge of these substances is indispensable, as is that of the effects by which they may be detected after death ; and in this manner the history of poisons is an essential branch of medical jurisprudence. Lastly, it is not only of great consequence that all the poisonous substances should be well known to men of science, but that this knowledge should be as widely diffused as possible ; since much more extensive mischief proceeds from the ignorance of the public respecting them, than from any abuse which is made of those that are known. The antidotes to poisons, or the medical treatment of sufferers under them, ought also to form a branch of this subject.
The poisonous substances may be divided between the mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms, as usual ; but it appears also necessary to notice those, the true nature of which is nearly unknown, which are diffused through the atmosphere, producing diseases and death. if to these we
add the chemical gases possessed of this property, we shall have a fourth division, or one of atmospheric poisons ; and under these four divisions the whole of them may be com prised.
Every thing is considered as a poison which, in small doses, injures the health, or destroys life. This is a vague definition ; but it cannot well be otherwise, since the limits of doses are indefinable, and since that which is injurious in one close, is innocent or salutary in another. It is, therefore, difficult to know where to stop in such an enu meration ; and, with all our care, it must be taken subject to the provision thus named. To study the nature of poi sons thoroughly, requires an attention to their several re lations as connected with natural history, chemistry, pa thology, and physiology, whether living or anatomical. Such a view as this holds out, implies a far more extensive treatment than we can bestow on this subject. We can only pretend to give a very condensed view; and for the mineral department shall be partly indebted to Monsr. Or fila's work. The completion of this treatise as to the other departments, is very much desired. But instead of fol lowing his method of division, which appears to us not very good, we shall adopt that which alone belongs to the most obvious part of their natural history, as before laid down.