Carboneum Hydrogenisatum

Carburetted Hydrogen. Ethane. Olefiant gas. C, H4. Solution in alcohol.

Clinical

Apoplexy. Eyes, convulsions of . Tetanus. Whooping-cough.

Characteristics

This gas, which was experimented with by Sr Humphrey Davy, produces a condition almost resembling an apoplectic attack. Stupefaction : comatose ; surface cold and completely insensible. Spasm as in lock-jaw. Arms flexed at elbows. One mental symptom is peculiar : an extraordinary sensation of contentment, so that life seems exalted ; all his thoughts appear in a moment as if seen in an inner mirror. Many eye symptoms were noted : steady and extreme oscillation of the eyeballs. Eyes distorted. Lids half closed. Dark bodies moving before eyes. > By open air (vertigo, convulsions). It is a popular custom to take children suffering from whooping-cough to breathe the air at a gas-works. A case has been recorded in which an accidental escape of gas in a child's bedroom affected a prompt cure of its whooping-cough. Illuminating is a complex gas, carburetted hydrogen being the leading ingredient In the Schema are included some symptoms produced by illuminating coal gas. BdatioiiB.— Comari: Chloroform, iCther, Amyl nit., Carboneum.

Mind

Contentment ; life seems exalted ; all his thoughts appear in a moment as if seen in an inner mirror. — Answers questions slowly. — Fell Qnoonsdous. — Coma.

Head

Vertigo ; < going into open air; with nausea, loss of memory and sensation. — Excruciating pain in forehead and between eyes. — Pressure in brain.

Eyes p. 410

Eyes distorted; half closed.— Eyeballs oscillate steadily; synchronously with breathing (illuminating gas). — Dark bodies moving before eyes.

Face p. 410

Staring look. — Face turgid. — Cheeks flap. — Some degree of trismus ; interrupted by yawning.

Stomach p. 410

Violent cramps in stomach. — Nausea and vomiting.

Stool and Anus p. 410

Involuntary passage of stool and urine. — Stools : rice-water ; thin faeces mixed with dark blood and mucus.

Respiratory Organs p. 410

Voice feeble and indistinct — Paroxysms of cough. — Dyspnoea. — Violent tearing pains in thorax.

Heart p. 410

Beating of heart scarcely perceptible. — Pulse : strong, rapid, regular ; or small and extremely weak.

Neck and Back p. 410

Violent spasm in the extensors of the back.

Limbs p. 410

Spasmodic stitching and trembling of limbs; felt paralysed.

Generalities p. 410

Rapid fluctuation of symptoms (coal gas). — Immovable ; later regained power in l. arm and hand, but r. arm and leg remained paralysed (coal gas). — Lying as if dead cold and pale, as soon as the windows were open violent convulsions set in. — Anaesthesia.

Sleep p. 410

Sleep prolonged and very deep, interrupted by cramps in jaws and toes.

Fever p. 410

Skin icy cold. — Sweating copiously ; sweat smells of gas (coal gas).