disease, which is described by Tartra in rather strong language. It
begins with the symptoms already noticed; but these gradually abate. The
patient then becomes affected with general fever, dry skin, spasms and
pains of the limbs, difficult breathing, tension of the belly,
salivation, and occasional vomiting, particularly of food and drink.
Afterwards membranous flakes are discharged by vomiting, and the
salivation is accompanied with fœtor. These flakes are often very like
the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines; and such they have
often been described to be. More probably, however, they are of
adventitious formation; for the mere mucous coat of the alimentary canal
cannot supply the vast quantity that is evacuated. There is no doubt,
however, that the lining membrane of the alimentary canal is
occasionally discharged. Dr. Wilson has mentioned an instance of the
ejection by coughing of about nine inches of the cylindrical lining of
the pharynx and gullet six days after sulphuric acid was taken.[263]
Sometimes worms are discharged dead, and evidently corroded by the
poison.[264] Digestion is at the same time deranged, the whole functions
of the body are languid, and the patient falls into a state of marasmus,
which reduces him to a mere skeleton, and in the end brings him to the
grave. Death may take place in a fortnight, or not for months. In one of
Tartra’s cases the patient lived eight months. The vomiting of
membranous flakes continues to the last.