Chapter LXXXIV: Section II: Of the Morbid Appearances caused by Cantharides

The only precise account I have hitherto seen of the morbid appearances caused by cantharides is contained in the history of the case from the _Gazette de Santé_. The brain was gorged with blood. The omentum, peritonæum, gullet, stomach, intestines, kidneys, ureters, and internal parts of generation were inflamed; and the mouth and tongue were stripped of their lining membrane.—In dogs Schubarth observed, besides the usual signs of inflammation in the alimentary canal, great redness of the tubular part of the kidneys, redness and extravasated patches on the inside of the bladder, and redness of the ureters as well as of the urethra.[1504] M. Poumet denies that any morbid appearance is ever found in any part of the genito-urinary organs of animals; but he sometimes found blood effused into the stomach and intestines.[1505] In Dr. Ives’s case the blood-vessels of the brain and cerebellum were gorged, the cerebellum spread over with lymph, the villous coat of the stomach softened and brittle, and the kidneys inflamed and presenting blood in their pelvis.

When the case has been rapid, the remains of the powder may be found in the stomach or intestines by Poumet’s process. From the researches of Orfila and Lesueur, confirmed by those of Poumet, it appears not to undergo decomposition for a long time when mixed with decaying animal matters. After nine months’ interment the resplendent green points continue brilliant.[1506]