Memoranda On Poisons

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MToxicology (¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ poison, and ¿¿¿¿¿ discourse,) is that branch of medical

science which treats of the nature, properties, and effects of poisons.

It appears scarcely possible to give any definition of a poison which will

bear a critical examination; insomuch that some have preferred to deal with

the evil effects of any substance, that is poisoning, rather than with the

substance itself, the so-called poison. Most medicines are poisonous in

improper doses; and even common salt (chloride of sodium) has caused

death. Dr. Guy defines a poison to be any substance which, when applied

to the body externally, or in any way introduced into the system, without

acting mechanically, but by its own inherent qualities, is capable of

destroying life. A cherrystone may cause death by becoming arrested in the

vermiform appendix, and thus producing peritonitis; boiling water may

cause death also; but neither are poisons: the one acting mechanically, the

other by its heat merely.