TOXICOLOGY
I.--DEFINITION OF A POISON
Though the law does not define in definite terms what a poison really
is, it lays stress on the _malicious intention_ in giving a drug or
other substance to an individual. It is a _felony_ to administer, or
cause to be administered, any poison or other destructive thing with
intent to murder, or with the intention of stupefying or overpowering an
individual so that any indictable offence may be committed. It is a
_misdemeanour_ to administer any poison, or destructive or noxious
thing, merely to aggrieve, injure, or annoy an individual. For a working
_definition_ we may state that a poison is a substance which, when
introduced into or applied to the body, is capable of injuring health or
destroying life. A poison may therefore be swallowed, applied to the
skin, injected into the tissues, or introduced into any orifice of the
body.
II.--SALE OF POISONS; SCHEDULED POISONS
The sale of poisons is regulated by various Acts, but chiefly by the
Pharmacy Act, 1868, and by the Poisons and Pharmacy Act, 1908. Only
registered medical practitioners and legally qualified druggists are
permitted to dispense and sell scheduled poisons. They are responsible
for any errors which may be committed in the sale of poisons. If a
druggist knows that a drug in a prescription is to be used for an
improper purpose, he may refuse to dispense it. The practitioner who
carelessly prescribes a drug in a poisonous dose is not held
responsible, but the dispenser would be if he dispensed it and harmful
or fatal consequences followed on its being swallowed. When a dispenser
finds an error in a prescription, it is his duty to communicate with the
prescriber privately pointing out the mistake.
A great responsibility rests on the medical man who does his own
dispensing, as there is no one to check his work.
If a doctor prescribes a drug with the intention of curing or preventing
a disease, but that, contrary to expectation and general experience, it
causes illness or even death, no responsibility can rest with the
prescriber. It has to be proved that actual injury has been sustained by
the complainant before an action for damages can be commenced, and that
the plaintiff was free from all contributory negligence.
=Scheduled Poisons.=--By the Pharmacy Act of 1868 two groups of poisons
are scheduled. Part I. contains a list of those which are considered
very active poisons--_e.g._, arsenic, alkaloids, belladonna,
cantharides, coca (if containing more than 1 per cent. alkaloids),
corrosive sublimate, diachylon, cyanides, tartar emetic, ergot, nux
vomica, laudanum, opium, savin, picrotoxin, veronal and all poisonous
urethanes, prussic acid, vermin killers, etc. Such poisons must not be
sold to strangers, but only to persons known to or introduced by someone
known to the druggist. If sold, the latter must enter into the 'Poison
Register' the name of the poison, the name of the person to whom it is
sold, the quantity and purpose for which it is to be used, and date of
sale. The entry must be signed by the purchaser and by the introducer.
The word 'Poison' must be affixed to the bottle or package, and also
the name and address of the seller.