Carboneum oxygenisatum

Authorities. 33 and 34, S. Symptom, Bost. Med. and Surg. Journ., vol. xix, 1838, p. 325, Goodwin, aged twenty years, and Denvir, aged twenty-six years, put an iron kettle containing charcoal into their sleepingroom ; 35, Dr. B. E. Cutting, ibid., vol. liv, 1856, p. 142, F. J., aged twentythree years, slept in a closed room with a coal fire; (36 to 41, from Dr. J. Ch. Terpin, L’Acid Carbonicum, Paris, 1864) ; 36, effects of a bath ; 37, M. Rotureau, effects of a bath; 38, Dr. Sequin, Annal. de Chem., vol. Ixxxix, 1792, experimented on himself by inhaling the gas; 39, Palate de Rozier, descended by a cord attached to the shoulders into the gas caused by the fermentation of beer; 40, Attumonelli, breathed the air of a grotto laden with Carbonic acid gas; 41, Herpes, general effects; (42 to 54, from Friedberg, Die Vergiftung Dutch Kohlendunst, Berlin, 1866) ; 42, case of poisoning; 43, a family were poisoned by sleeping in a room with a coal fii’e; 44, poisoning of a man ; 45 to 54. other cases; 55, Dr. Med., New York Journ. of Horn., vol. i, 1873, p. 566, effects on himself of sleeping in the room with a Franklin stove, the draft being shut off; 56, effects on Mrs. Med.; 57, Dr. Quince, Archiv. fur Exper. Path, und Pharra., vol. vii, p. fOl, the action of carbonated water.

JJtiuatuj Orffems.—In a general way it produces a sensation of warmth and tension in the stomach, it excites the peristaltic action of the stomach and intestines, promotes the appetite and digestion, increases the secretions of the stomach, accelerates the respiration and pulse, and according to some authors, causes slowness of the pulse, and diminishes the temperature. The whole organism becomes freshened and energetic, and mental activity is increased. Large quantities cause vertigo and congestion of the brain. The secretion of urine is increased ; carbonated waters are the best diuretics. The object of the present paper is to show the diuretic action of carbonated drinks by a series of observations. The subjects experimented on, healthy, with good and regular appetite; the hours for meals were fixed, and the food and drink were carefully estimated ; the carbonated water was always taken in the morning fasting, after the bladder had been emptied ; subsequently the urine was gathered every hour or halfliour; the specific gravity noticed, etc. The first experiment was made in October and November, the drink used was distilled water artificially impregnated with Carbonic acid gas. 500 cc. were drunk at one time. The amount of urine in the different experiments on average shoAved an increase of 14.4 per cent, on the days in which the experiments Averse made. The specific gravity shoAved a corresponding diminution. The second experiment Avas made on a healthy person, somewhat chlorotic, set. twenty-six years, appetite good and regular. He drank, in the morning fasting, a glass of artificial Pyrmont Avater in tAvo portions, Avith an interval of ten minutes. Three times during the experiment he drank spring- Avater. The general av^rage shoAved an excretion of 665 cc. of urine Awhile taking the carbonated agent, 539 cc. Avhen not taking it. A third experiment Avas made on a man Avith Pyrmont Avater, for eleven days, shaving during the first three hours after taking the Avater an average increase of 36 cc. of urine, Awhile the amount secreted during the first hour after the drink Avas diminished on average 25 cc. The fourth experiment AAas made on a man in the same Away for sixteen days. The urine shoAved an average increase in the first three hours after the drink 34 cc. In all the experiments the result Avas the same, increased secretion of urine after the Carbonic acid,“h '

Lower Extremities p. 442

Loss of motion and sensation in the right arm, followed by atrophy. The right leg Avas cold, somewhat heavy ; the arm recovered under galvanism, after many months

Incomplete paralysis of the left loAver extremity, Avith serous infiltration of the foot, Avhich Avas painful, not red; and along the dorsal surface of the metatarsus there developed numerous blisters, Avith broAvuish-red spots as large as a half dollar

Generalities p. 442

Paralysis of the right arm ; involuntary evacuations; anasarca of the right arm; over the body various spots, Avhich looked as though they had been burnt, Adhere blisters developed, followed by suppurating ulcers; the Avhole right arm from the shoulder, to the fingers Avas very much Szvollen, painful on pressure and motion ; the Avhole right thigh Avas szvollen, especially on the outer side, the skin seemed infiltrated ; skin of the right side Szvollen, not painful ; large suppurating sores formed in the right axilla ; gangrenous spots on the back of the right hand ; sores on the outer side of the right thigh, and on the inner side of both knees, becoming gangrenous

Loss of consciousness for a long time; paralysis of the bladder; paralysis of the loAAer extremities ; bed-sores over the sacrum ; diabetes; abscess in the breast; violent convulsions

Found in deep coma, followed by bronchitis, herpes of the lips, and sugar in the urine for three days after the poisoning

Found in a comatose condition; afterwards pleuro-pneumonia of long duration, and transient diabetes

Paralysis of the rectum and bladder; persistent idiocy

Stertorous respiration, paralysis of the limbs, paralysis of the bladder, trismus, convulsions, pneumonia on the right side

Paralysis of speech ; haemoptysis; recovery only after many months

Loss of consciousness. Surface of the body cold. Stertorous respiration. Frothing from the mouth. After being aroused he complained of headache, difficulty of SAAalloAving, dryness and scraping in the throat, causing cough ; nausea ; painful pressure in the epigastric region; confusion of the head ; coma; chilliness; numbness of the hands and feet. On the third day, the feeling of paralysis had almost entirely disappeared, the pulse Avas 120, temperature 39.1°. The face was pale, covered with copper-red spots of various sizes and forms, which were also found on parts of the trunk and extremities. These spots varied in color, were darkest on the abdomen, and on the anterior portion of the left thigh, where they were as large as the palm of the hand. Tongue dry, covered with a brownish coat. The mucous membrane of the mouth and fauces swollen and injected. Pressure on the stomach painful. The bladder was distended above the navel. For two days the patient passed urine only with great efibrt, and very seldom. There was a short dry cough. Respiration 26; on deep inspiration stitches in the lower portion of the right half of the chest. Dulness in the lower portion of the right side of the chest; respiratory murmur impaired, with fine rales; through the other portions of the lungs were coarse rales with increased respiratory murmur. Urine evacuated with the catheter reddish brown. The bladder continued paralyzed ; the patient developed pneumonia with infiltration of the right middle and lower portions of the lungs, inflammation of the pharynx and stomach, the vasomotors paralyzed ; general loss of power and emaciation ; inflammation of the skin ; places formed blisters and ulcers, bed-sores; gradual recovery

A boy was found dead, a girl, man, and woman were still living. In all the bodies were cold, the limbs were relaxed, pulse imperceptible, pupils dilated, mouth spasmodically closed, respiration irregular and superficial. The blood was very darkcolored. Oil the second day, the skin and mucous membrane of the woman became gangrenous, the urine dark brown, after which she died

On waking (waked by wife at 5.30 a.m.), a general vague distress, and on getting up was giddy; tendency to fall to the side obliged him to sit down for security. Then distress in prtecordium, a kind of anguish, with sighing respiration, and slight nausea, caused by this praecordial distress ; then a free fecal evacuation, painless, like a relaxation of bowels which follows fear or excitement (soldiers going into action), with a decided urging; rapid action of heart on exertion ; pulsations very audible in left ear. Short cough when moving; precordial distress; had to sit while dressing; sensitive to outer air; circulation very much depressed, and did not regain its tone for a long time. No inclination to urinate like the urgency to stool. Headache came on after moving around ; is a throbbing headache, a headache similar to his usual exhausted headaches. No appetite, could not eat his usual hearty breakfast. Mouth thick and pasty ; no bad taste; saliva is thick. Hands moist, inclined to be cool

Has distress across thorax. The distress in prsecordium so great that she became moist; skin hot (also sensitive to cold air as usual), with nausea. Free evacuation of bowels, no appetite. Wea1<, could not get up. This distress seemed so bad, before she arose, as though she was dying. It stopped menstruation, then three days advanced (usually runs six or seven days). The looseness of the bowels continued and gradually produced tenesmus, six passages in twentyfour hours. C(;flee gave decided temporary relief for three hours

Head, face, and neck livid, and greatly bloated, so as to destroy all recognizable features; the lower lip immensely swollen and turned outwards ; the skin discolored and cold, without moisture; extremities quite cold; pulse varying in force and frequency, at times almost imperceptible, the number ranging at different tinies from 80 to 120; breathing labored, blowing, and irregular; eyelids closed, balls rolled up aslant, pupils varying somewhat but generally dilated; entire insensibility to outward impressions, even of the most painful character; no motion of any muscles except those concerned in respiration, which was chiefly diaphragmatic, His appearance was that of a calm and tranquil sleep; countenance was of a pale leaden aspect; his lips and ears were livid; respiration inaudible at a short distance, extremely short aud suffocative, with intervals of suspension; pulse rapid, small, aud at times imperceptible; pupils contracted, but the retina was sensible to the impression of light; muscular system relaxed aud powerless; he appeared like one whose functions and powers of the system were almost extinguished

Face suffused and purple; expression of agonized suffering; the temporal artery distended and prominent; respiration rapid aud sonorous, resembling a groan more than snoring; pulse moderately full but frequent; the muscles seemed rigid aud contracted ; pupils dilated ; vomiting

If a person be plunged entirely, with the exception of the head, into a bath of Carbonic acid gas at the ordinary temperature, there will be experienced a decided sensation of heat over the parts of the body in contact with the gas. This sensation of heat is pleasant, and may be compared with that produced by a fine soft garment or padding applied to the skin. If the bath be prolonged for a quarter of an hour, the sensation of heat becomes more intense, and accompanied by a peculiar prickling and tingling; in some persons whose skin is very sensitive it reddens, and there is experienced a burning heat. The whole surface of the body then transpires freely. The urinary secretion is decidedly increased. At last, after the gas has remained in contact with the skin for a longer time (some hours), the skin becomes numb, aud anaesthesia takes place, so that pricking or pinching can be endured without sensation

Normal condition, pulse 68, saliva alkaline, urine clear, acid, temperature in the axilla 26° R. At 9.46,1 entered the cabinet containing the gas, and in one minute afterwards experienced a pleasant sensation of heat over all parts of the body. 9.50, the heat had decidedly increased, was especially pronounced in the pit of the stomach and in the internal portions of the limbs, especially of the thighs, associated with an agreeable tingling in the genital organs. 9.54, the heat had increased and was very difficult to bear; only the feet were somewhat cold. 9.56, experienced along the superior dorsal region slight prickling. 10.1, pulse remained the same; the body was very red and covered with perspiration. Extreme heat was felt over all parts of the body, especially in the palms. Two other persons were in the lower part of the same cabinet; they experienced different degrees of oppression. In one the respiration was very much oppressed, with very great desire to lie down. 10.7, my two com])anions were obliged to open the window ; though I was not so greatly inconvenienced, still the fresh air was very agreeable. 10.16, my pulse had fallen to 60, all my limbs were very supple ; the general sensation of health was increased. At another time the pulse fell to 52, and there was some pain in the head. Another person in the bath described the sensation as of a band above the eyes, and a very severe frontal pain. The baths were frequently followed by violent itching over all parts of the body. After the bath the saliva was acid. The capillary circulation was much more active. The following were the effects of a bath taken in the evening, July 15th, pulse 76, respiration 19. I entered the bath at 5.10. At 5.13, the heat steadily increasing, the current of gas passing over the body causes an irresistible desire to sneeze. 5.15, burning heat between the shoulders. 5.18, respiration 16, pulse unchanged. 5.22, perspiration begins on the face. 5.25, sensation of burning heat very intense between the shoulders, aud drops of sweat rolling down over my chest. 5.30, perspiration general. 5.40, pulse full, regular, 76; perspiration profuse. If one plunges the head into a bath of Carbonic acid gas, there is immediately experienced heat, especially about the face and eyes. The gas getting into the nose causes prickling in the mucous membrane, sneezing, and profuse secretion of mucus,''’b

He experienced prickling in the eyes, vertigo, thundering in the ears, suffocation, the face became blue, purple, etc.,^®.

Profuse lachrymation, heat of the face, rush of blood to the head

He inhaled the gas mixed in various proportions with atmospheric air. From 1 to 13 there was very little effect. 1 to 10 caused prickling in the limbs, and a sensation of constriction of the chest. 1 to 4 caused asphyxia and an increase of the pulse fiom 73 to 137, but it immediately fell to 98 on removing the gas

The secretions are in general increased, perspiration considerable, urinary secretion decidedly increased, and there were frequent efforts to urinate. Often the gas causes rush of blood to the hjemorrhoids, increased menstruation, epistaxis, and often haemoptysis. In the organs of generation it causes great heat and excitement and turgescence. In women increased menstruation

Coma,red streaks running along the forearm in the course of the radial nerve, follow^ed by swelling of the subcutaneous tissue, especially on the right side, and along the right supraorbital nerve. Subsequent development of her{)es on the lips and on the forearm, and along the ischiatic nerve; development of bed-sore

After the poisoning there developed zona on the left side of the face, corresponding to the course of the trigeminus nerve