Rumex Acetosa

Rumex acetosa, Linn.

Natural order, Polygonaceae.

Common name, Sorrel (English.)

Preparation (The leaves are used for salads and soups ; they contain a large quantity of Binoxalate of potash.)

Authorities. (Dr. Henry Hawks, London, Med. Gaz., 1847, p. 69). 1, a man ate sorrel freely; 2, another man ate a large quantity; 3, another man ate sorrel freely for two days.

Head p. 416

He stated his distress to be in the head and about an inch and a half beneath the lower extremity of the sternum (first day)

Eyes p. 416

Eyes sunken (fifth day)

Lower eyelid puffed, and movements of the pupil impeded (sixth day)

Face p. 416

Features collapsed (fifth day)

Mouth p. 416

Tongue moist and furred (fourth day); white and furred and rather swollen (sixth day)

Tongue furred in its middle, its tip and edge red (fifth day)

Throat p. 416

On inspection of the pharynx, its lining membrane was found congested as far down as it was visible, the anterior part moistened by the accumulation of a limpid secretion thereabouts, and the uvula greatly lengthened. There was constant pain from the throat, throughout the oesophagus, to its junction with the cardiac orifice of the stomach. During swallowing, the pain was increased (sixth day)

Stomach p. 416

Appetite failed,2; (fifth day)

Great thirst,12; (fifth day)

[10-] Vomiting; the ejecta were green and thin (third day); constant vomiting of everything she swallowed, the matter being thicker (fifth day) ; vomiting continued, with retching; the ejecta dark-green and pulpy (sixth day) ; vomited a large quantity of green matter (seventh day)

At 2 p.m., he declined partaking of his usual meal; appeared to have sickness at the stomach and heaviness of the head (first day)

The soreness of the epigastrium and fulness of the abdomen remain (fourth day)

Pain at the epigastrium, occasionally exacerbated, being worse to day (fifth day); pain still severe (sixth day)

Abdomen p. 416

Violent and universal pain ensued in the bowels, so intense that he pressed them firmly and rolled, vociferated loudly, with a pallid and haggard countenance, and, as it were, thrust out his eyes

Stool p. 416

Constipation (fifth to twelfth days)

Urinary Organs p. 416

Deficient urinary and alvine evacuations (first day)

Urine increased in amount, and has the appearance: of phosphatic (sixth day); turbid and wheylike (ninth day)

Respiratory Organs p. 416

Unremitting short cough, unattended with expectoration (first day) ; cough persisted for ten days

Perpetual groaning (first day)

Moaned frequently (fifth day)

False p. 416

Pulse feeble (fourth day) ; small and weak (sixth day)

Pulse small and frequent (fifth day)

Generalities p. 416

Lay on his back in a paroxysm of general convulsions, with his arms elevated, reciprocally casting them forwards and bringing them backwards, doing the same with his legs, opening and closing his fists, and alternately throwing his head from right to left. His eyeballs were glassy, fixed, aud prominent; there were rattling and grinding of the teeth, without any foaming at the mouth, aud he was absolutely senseless. In this fit he continued for a quarter of an hour (first day)

About 3 P.M., he suddenly fell from his seat exhausted ; he was lifted up and taken into the air. The inferior extremities again lost their power ; he fell, and vomited when down, a diffluent, raw, greenish-colored mass. He was raised, but could only feebly support himself (first day)

Bodily powers prostrated (fifth day)

Sleep p. 416

Sleeplessness (fifth day)

Fever p. 416

Heat aud rigors (first day)

Linen saturated with cutaneous exudation (first day)