=Chloroform.=--A colourless liquid, specific gravity 1.490 to 1.495,
very volatile, giving off dense vapour. Sweet taste and pleasant odour.
_Symptoms._--When swallowed, characteristic smell in breath, anxious
countenance, burning pain in the throat, stomach, and region of the
abdomen, staggering gait, coldness of the extremities, vomiting,
insensibility, deepening into coma, with stertorous breathing, dilated
pupils, and imperceptible pulse. When inhaled, much the same as ether,
but produces insensibility and muscular relaxation more rapidly. It
would be impossible to instantly render a person insensible by holding a
pocket-handkerchief saturated with chloroform over the face. Statements
such as this, which are often made in cases of robbery from the person
and in cases of rape, are incredible.
_Delayed Chloroform-Poisoning._--Death may take place in from four to
seven days after chloroform has been administered, especially in the
case of children. The internal organs are found to be fattily
degenerated, and death is thought to be due to acetonuria.
_Post-Mortem Appearances._--Cerebral and pulmonary congestion. Heart
empty, or right side distended with dark blood.
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