SILVER. The only preparation of this metal likely to act as a poison is the nitrate, which has been used in me dicine; particularly of late in epilepsy.
When injected into the veins, it produces death speedi ly, and without our being able to ascertain the cause. But we shall notice these effects no more ; as there is scarcely any substance, apparently the most simple, which does not in the same way produce death, and with the same trains of symptoms. The action on the animal economy, in these cases, is not understood ; but, in a practical view, it is of no moment, as death does not occur, either acciden tally or designedly, in this way, unless in the case of ex periments on animals.
The symptoms which nitrate of silver produces when taken into the stomach in a large dose, are exactly the sa.i e as those caused by the other metallic poisons Blue ness of the lips, from the change induced on this salt from exposure to light, is an additional symptom, which, when it is present, serves to indicate the nature of the poison.
The appearances after death differ in nothing from those caused by the other metallic poisons.
When nitrate of silver has been given medicinally in small doses for any length of time, it is deposited between the skin and epidermis, producing a livid stain which can never be discharged, and which causes a great deformity through life. This has frequently happened in the hands of ignorant practitioners, but it begins to be more gene rally known. This consequence is so disagi eeable, that the medicine ought to be rejected in medical practice, as it pos,esses no advantage over the other metallic tonics to compensate for this inconvenience.
Treatment of the patient. The muriate of soda, or com mon salt, decomposes this substance, and destroys its de leterious qualities.
Salt should therefore be given immediately, diluted in much warm water. Mucilaginous drinks may then be given to diminish irritation, followed by the antiphlogistic practice where necessary.