Benzinum Nitricum

" Essence of Morbane." " Artificial OU of Bitter Almonds." Ce H, NOa. (Prepared by heating Benzol with Nitric Acid ; the oily fluid formed is washed and rectified ; it is miscible with alcohol, and has an odour of bitter almonds.) Solution in alcohol. flWi»wi- — Amaurosis. Convulsions. Cyanosis. Diuresis. Epilepsy. Nys- Respiration, slow. Strabismus. Tetanus. Trismus.

Characteristics

Nitro-benzene is a very poisonous substance, and our knowledge of its action is due to numerous cases of poisoning that have occurred. It produces faintness, sinking, convulsions, twitchings, stupor. It slows the respiration until death occurs. Rolling of the eyeballs in their vertical axis is a prominent feature, and the pupils are dilated. Blueness of lips, face, and finger-nails. Flapping of alae nasi. Head drawn backward and to the left side in spasms. Involuntary evacuations. Paralysis of all limbs. Punctif orm ecchymoses. The odour of bitter almonds is strong in the secretions.

Relations

Compare: Benzin., Amygd. am., Camph. Hydrocy., ac.

Mind

Extreme mental excitement. — Loquacity, followed by drowsiness, soon passing into stupor. — Soon became unconscious with inarticulate confused speech.

Head p. 274

Vertigo ; and headache.— Trembles ; staggers ; falls unconscious. — Sensation of formication under scalp, or as if the hair was brist* ling up.

Eyes p. 274

Rolling of eyeballs. — Constant slow movement of eyeballs from L to r. under closed lids. — The eyeballs showed a constant turning inward and outward in a slow, regular motion, with the visual axes perfectly parallel. — Constantly rolling in vertical axes. — Strabismus. — Eyes staring. — Great injection of conjunctiva of bulbs. — Eyeballs seemed enlarged. — Pupils dilated ; insensible to light. — Distorted vision and flashes of strange light and colours.

Ears p. 274

Violent roaring in ears, and sounds.

Face p. 274

Stupid expression. — Cyanosis. — (Œdema. — Covered with cold

Heart p. 274

Trismus.

Mouth p. 274

Tongue white and swollen; thick and soft. — Burning taste, followed by numbness and tingling of tongue and lips. — Stammering speech. — Tenacious saliva flowed from the mouth. II, ifl, 13. Stomach, Abdomen, Stool. — Burning in throat and

Stomach p. 274

Nausea, vomiting, of food eaten. — Pains in abdomen. — Involuntary evacuations.

Urinary Organs p. 274

Diuresis ; urine brownish red ; odour of bitter almonds.— Urine and faeces passed involuntarily.

Respiratory Organs p. 274

Sighing respiration. — Respiration frequently interrupted. — Dyspnoea. — Respiration exceedingly slow ; shallow. — Snoring. — Respiration difficult, catching, accelerated.

Heart p. 274

Pulse rapid, weak, irregular. — Pulse full and slow. — Pulse scarcely perceptible.

Neck and Back p. 274

Stiff-neck ; trismus and fibrillary twitchings in masseter muscles.

Limbs p. 274

Twitchings in hands and feet.— Arms spasmodically flexed, sometimes extended. — Arms spasmodically flexed at first, afterwards relaxed. S4. Generalities. — Gait as if intoxicated ; staggering here and there. — Violent convulsions; with unconsciousness. — Fell unconscious; extremities paralysed ; evacuations involuntary. — Fainted from inhaling vapours. — Overpowering odour of bitter almonds.

Skin p. 274

Punctiform ecchymoses. — Skin livid ; bluish-grey. — Ecchymosed spots, bluish-black, beneath scalp and on gluteal muscles.

Fever p. 274

Skin cold, — Sweat on forehead and face.— Whole body covered with profuse cold sweat.