Corrosive Sublimate as a Poison
Corrosive Sublimate as a Poison is a poem written by Arthur Conan Doyle during his studies at the Edinburgh University of Medicine (ca. 1876).
Arthur Conan Doyle wrote several poems on specific medical products (Opium, Tartar Emetic, Quinine, Ether, Arsenic, Corrosive Sublimate as a Poison, Liquor Potassoe, Mercury...). Probably as a mnemonic technique.
Corrosive Sublimate as a Poison
Now the leading effects, without any fiction,
Is a nauseous taste and decided constriction
In stomach and throat leaves a horrible burning
While the doctor will lose little time in discerning
A contracted and white sort of state of the tongue
Which shows that the drug has its action begun.
The vomit and mucus from fauces comes surging,
With pain in the stomach and violent purging
While those who may care to examine the shanty,
Will easily see that the urine is scanty.
There next may be nervous depression already,
The face may be swollen, the pulse may be thready
And then though the doctor may work like a trooper,
Death will set in with convulsion and stupor.
