Memoranda on Poisons

A compact 19th‑century guide, this work offers physicians a quick reference for recognizing and managing toxic exposures. Revised from earlier editions, it blends practical bedside advice with a deeper look at the chemistry behind common poisons, aiming to aid both seasoned doctors and medical students who may encounter a poisoning only rarely.

The author reorganises the traditional categories into a more logical scheme—corrosives, irritants, gases, and a detailed neurotic group that includes narcotics, anesthetics and other depressants. Each section presents reliable tests for identification, methods for separating toxins from organic material, and concise treatment protocols. The preface also warns of the growing problem of covert, slow‑acting poisonings, urging practitioners to keep a vigilant eye for subtle clues before natural disease is misdiagnosed. Listeners will come away with a historical yet surprisingly systematic overview of toxicology as it was taught to doctors in the late 1800s.