Memoranda On Poisons

Résumé

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MToxicology (τοξικὸν poison, and λόγος 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.