Today’s Corrosive Yet Truly Morbid Fact!
The swallowing of corrosive poisons—acids, alkalis and metallic salts—causes a particularly unpleasant kind of death. These agents erode and destroy the tissues with which they come into contact. Death from corrosive poisoning is commonly the result of suicide or accident. The ready availability of compounds such as metal polishes, bleaches, toilet cleansers and disinfectants make them convenient agents for suicide. The widespread industrial use of corrosive materials, also increases the dangers of accidents.
The destructive nature of the mineral acids has led to their criminal use in disfigurement and in the disposal of bodies.
When a corrosive is swallowed the tissues in contact with it are in some measure destroyed: the victim feels a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, and there is intense stomach pain: this is followed by vomiting of shreds of blood-stained material, accompanied by intense thirst. Choking is common, and the air passages will probably be congested, especially if the poison is volatile, such as ammonia or fuming acid.
There will be signs of corrosion around the mouth and lips—grey or brownish stains. Consciousness is usually of color as respiration breaks down, and death usually follows within a few hours of a fatal dose, and results from a combination of shock, extensive tissue damage and respiratory failure. Post-mortem examination will show the destruction of those tissues affected by the corrosive. The extent and coloration of damage will identify the agent used if that is in doubt.
Hydrochloric Acid and Sulfuric Acid –> Grey/black
Nitric Acid –> Red/brown
Caustic alkalis –> Grey/white
Cresols –> Brown
Mercury Chloride –> Blue/white
Some corrosive agents have a double effect—attacking the tissues directly and also acting on the central nervous system: such poisons are carbolic acid and oxalic acid. Carbolic acid in its pure form is phenol, and is used as a component in many branded disinfectants. These agents have a corrosive action which is partly modified by their anesthetic effect—vomiting is therefore uncommon. But they also have a depressant action, and death usually results within about three hours from respiratory or cardiac failure; a fatal dose may be as low as 4 ml. but recoveries have been recorded from much higher doses. Phenol may also be absorbed through the skin.
Sulphuric acid—Oil of Vitriol—is one of the strongest corrosive poisons. It is used extensively in its most concentrated form for industrial purposes and also in laboratory work, but battery acid (30% sulphuric acid) is still sufficiently strong to cause corrosive poisoning. Sulphuric acid acts by extracting water from the tissues and, in the process, generates considerable heat. This has a charring and blackening effect. Perforation of the esophagus and stomach is likely to follow this.
Accidentally inhalation of sulphuric acid
Hydrochloric and nitric acids give off irritant fumes and therefore involve the respiratory system. Their destructive effects are less severe than those of sulphuric acid.
The principle alkaline corrosive poison is ammonia. It has an intensely irritating vapor and usually involves the air passages; it is commonly used in suicide and is frequently taken by accident. Many cleaning fluids contain ammonia in large proportions. The choking fumes of concentrated ammonia may cause cardiac failure, and they are particularly dangerous when inhaled, as they dissolve in the mucous membranes, thereby prolonging their action.
Culled from: Crimes and Punishment, the Illustrated Crime Encyclopedia #1
Post-Mortem Portrait Du Jour!
Baby Bundled in Paisley Quilt
Ambrtotype 1/6 Plate, Circa 1862
Culled from: Sleeping Beauty III
Garretdom!
A Madman’s Horrible Deed.
TROY, N. Y., Sept. 19.—Dexter P. Wager, a farmer at Cropseyville, this county, has for a week past manifested signs of insanity. Yesterday morning he drove his wife and mother-in-law from the house. When they returned it was found that Wager had cut from ear to ear the throat of his daughter, aged three years. After a struggle the madman was secured and committed to jail.
Culled from the collection of The Comtesse DeSpair
1886 Morbid Scrapbook