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Treatise on Poisons / In relation to medical jurisprudence, physiology, and the practice of physic cover

Treatise on Poisons / In relation to medical jurisprudence, physiology, and the practice of physic

Chapter 2: PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION.
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About This Book

A methodical medical treatise that examines poisons' physiological actions, distinguishing local and remote effects and mechanisms such as chemical corrosion, irritation, and nervous impressions. It sets out how to recognize poisoning through symptoms, morbid appearances, chemical analysis, animal experiments, and circumstantial or moral evidence, and discusses limits of detection. The work then classifies individual poisons and provides detailed chapters on classes and specific substances—acids, alkalis, oxalic acid, arsenic, mercury, phosphorus, and others—covering tests, signs, morbid anatomy, and recommended treatments. Practical guidance for medico-legal investigation and treatment recurs throughout, with emphasis on differential diagnosis from natural disease and on laboratory and experimental methods.

PREFACE
TO THE FOURTH EDITION.

The author regrets that circumstances beyond his control have delayed the re-appearance of the present work beyond the period at which it was called for by the favourable reception of the last edition. He has endeavoured to take advantage of the numerous investigations which have been carried on during the interval into the several departments of Toxicology in the leading countries of Europe; and has in consequence been led to enlarge the work materially.

He trusts it may be allowed him to express his satisfaction at finding, that the rapid progress made by Toxicological science during the last eight years, while it has been productive of many important additions to our knowledge, has nevertheless not rendered any important alterations necessary either in the general principles formerly laid down in this work, or in what had been there stated as well ascertained general facts.

Edinburgh College,
November, 1844.