|
Abstract
|
Mr. L. B., sixty-five years of age, in excellent health, a patient at the Illinois Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary, during convalescence after Graefe's operation for cataract, was provided with a small bottle of sulphate of duboisia in place of sulphate of atropia, which caused considerable conjunctival inflammation.
On the 27th of April, about 9 o'clock in the evening, Mr. B. took by mistake a " teaspoonful " of the solution. It cannot be determined whether the teaspoon was quite full.
The patient at once informed other patients near him that he had taken the wrong solution, but concluded to await the result^ before reporting to the nurse. In about ten minutes there was dryness of the throat, and in half an hour a peculiar sensation in the legs, then in the thighs, arms and other parts of the body, as if they were asleep. At the end of three-quarters of an hour or more, the patient could scarcely talk or stand. Strange to say, not till this time did it occur to the patient or those around him to call the nurse.
An active emetic was at once given with the apparent effect of -entirely relieving the stomach of its contents. Without delirium the patient rapidly passed into a state of unconsciousness, and (remained in this condition till about five o'clock in the morning. He complained for two days of muscular weakness in the legs and arms, and especially noted a peculiar jerking action of the muscles of the arm in extending the hand to grasp a glass or -other object...
Language: en |