_Shewing the effects of the introduction of Mercury into an artery._
An ounce and a half of mercury, mixed with water, was injected into the
left carotid artery of a sheep. The animal immediately evinced pain,
and stood immoveable upon its feet. The head was held down, there was
stupor and heaviness, and the eyes were protruded and widely open. The
fore legs subsequently became bent, and the head inclined over the
right shoulder with a kind of convulsive rigidity, which continued
till death. Two hours afterwards, the animal became comatose, with
some convulsive motions of the limbs, and the left eye became red and
inflamed. Death took place fifty hours after the operation.
_Post-mortem appearances._ The left eye was found in a state of
suppuration, and contained mercury. Many of the branches of the left
carotid artery also contained some mercury, which had not penetrated
to the capillary system. All the organs supplied with these vessels
were red, swollen, and inflamed, in consequence of the presence of the
foreign matter. The thyroid gland, the tongue, the cheeks, and the
lips, were, however, only affected as far as the median line, leaving
the opposite halves pale and in their natural condition.
A drachm and a half of mercury, mixed with some warm water, was
injected into the crural artery of a large dog. The animal evinced no
pain, and walked resting slightly on the affected limb, which became
sensibly colder. After the expiration of an hour, the animal refused
its food, became restless, and indicated severe pain in the limb,
which was now very hot. On the following day, the leg was swollen and
oedematous. On the third day, there was extreme thirst, increased
oedema, and great suffering. The animal was killed sixty hours after
the operation.
_Post-mortem appearances._ No disease was found in any organ,
excepting the affected limb. This was swollen and oedematous in
every part; abscesses of different sizes had formed, which contained
sanious fluid, mercury, and pus; some parts were in an incipient state
of mortification, and gave out a considerable quantity of air. Globules
of mercury were found in different parts, occupying usually the centre
of the abscesses, and ran out upon the scalpel when incisions were made
into the limb.