Every case of poisoning is either attempted murder or suicide, or is the result of accident. In either case the medical attendant is liable to be called as a witness by the coroner, and perhaps by a criminal court. He should, therefore, note the circumstances with this probability in mind, and make notes in writing while the fact* are still fresh in his memory.

He should, for example, observe the number and appearance of the persons in the sick room; the bottles, glasses, spoons, etc., upon the sidetables (these should be taken charge of as soon as possible); the evidences of violence, if any; vomited matters, bottles, vessels or wrappers in the fireplace or slop jars; and, especially, the physical signs presented by the patient. It will be well to clear the sick room of all useless persons - by sending them upon errands, for example, or if they be interested, by direct request. Every practitioner should have an antidote bag, and keep it always fully supplied, and in readiness for immediate use.

The antidote bag should contain a hypodermic syringe, stomach pump, flexible catheter (medium size), sulphate of zinc (30-grain powders), whiskey or brandy, smelling salts, general antidote, solution of syrup of chloral (1:3) magnesia, tannic acid, bromide of potassium (40-grain powders), nitrite-of-amyl capsules (5 mimims each), chloroform (4 oz.), pellets for hypodermic injection, as apomorphine (1-10 grain), sulphate of morphine (1/4 grain), sulphate of atropine (1-60 grain), hydrochlorate of pilocarpine (1/3 grain), sodio-salicylate of caffeine (1/2 grain), sulphate of strychnine (1-60 grain), digitaline (1-100 grain), aconitine (1-130 grain), small vial of distilled water, measuring glass, teaspoon and tablespoon.

If the poison taken has produced whitish spots or other signs of corrosive action on the lips or tongue, no attempt should be made to empty the stomach. If the nature of the poison be unknown, the following known as the "general" antidote may be used, i. e.:

1. Saturated solution sulphate of iron 100 parts, water 800 parts, calcined magnesia 88 parts, animal charcoal (purified) 40 parts. Keep the iron solution in one bottle, the other ingredients mixed in another; when required, pour the iron solution into the mixture, shake well, and give ad libitum, wine glassful doses. Said to render preparations of arsenic, zinc and digitalis absolutely inert, and partly to neutralize action of mercury, morphine, and strychnine. Has no effect upon alkalies, phosphorus, antimony or hydrocyanic acid.

2. Iodide of starch has been recommended as a general antidote against sulphuretted hydrogen, the alkalies, the alkaline sulphides, and especially the alkaloids with which iodine forms insoluble compounds. May be given in large doses, as it is insoluble and not easily decomposed.

If the nature of the poison is unknown, note the following in acute cases as indications of its character: Tetanic Spasms indicate strychnine; paralysis, physostigmine, conium, gelsemium, aconite, curare; skin dry, belladonna and atropine, hyoscyamus, stramonium; skin moist before collapse, opium, aconite, antimony, alcohol, tobacco, lobelia; odor of breath may indicate alcohol, ammonia, camphor, carbolic acid, chloroform, creosote, hydrocyanic acid, phosphorus, nitro-benzol; pupils contracted, opium; Pupils Dilated, belladonna, atropine, alcohol, aconite, stramonium, hyoscyamus, conium; mucous membrane of mouth, white and hard patches indicate strong carbolic acid, creosote or corrosive sublimate; white, softened or flaky patches, mineral acids or caustic alkalies; dryness, belladonna, hyoscyamus, stramonium, opium; numbness, aconite; coma, opium, alcohol, [chloral, chloroform, camphor, delirium, alcohol, belladonna, camphor, hyoscyamus, stramonium, cannabis indica.-[national Medical Dictionary.]

General Rules to be Observed in the Practice of Medicine.

1. When a disease is progressing favorably towards recovery, it is unwise to interfere with the spontaneous efforts at cure by the administration of drugs. The end and aim of treatment is to restore health safely, and with all quickness and comfort that may be possible.

2. Where drugs are needed, and there is a choice of remedies, employ what will be the least distressing at the time, and subsequently, the least injurious to the constitution,

3. Put the medicine into that form in which it can be most easily taken. When possible, especially with children, cover the disagreeable taste of the draught with syrup, etc.

4. If there be an idiosyncrasy with respect to any special medicine, such as mercury, arsenic, iodide of potassium, opium, nux vomica, assafoe" tida, turpentine, etc., avoid administering it. That a peculiarity of constitution, causing an extreme susceptibility to the influence of certain drugs, and foods, and odors, sometimes exists, cannot be disputed. It is as certain that it can seldom be safely combated.

5. Attend to the condition under which the patient will be at the period of the medicine's action; for example, it will be worse than useless to give a sudorific to an individual obliged to be in the open air soon after taking it.

6. Be careful that the various agents in the prescription are not incompatible with each other, unless it be desired to form some new or particular compound. Chemical incompatibility, however, is by no means synonymous with therapeutic inertness; for experience tells us that certain unchemical compounds - perchloride of mercury, and tincture of bark, gallic acid, and tincture of opium, calomel and compound ipecacuanha powder, etc., are all valuable preparations in curing diseases.

7. Remember that if a disease be incurable, it may still admit of great alleviation. Hence, it is cruel to give up any case, although at the same time, the patient is not to be deceived by false promises..

8. Never order or sanction the use of a medicine the composition of which is kept a secret.

9. Bearing in mind the weakness of human nature, as well as the prejudices and superstitions which are current, it is not only necessary to give good advice, but pains must be 'taken so to impress the patient and attendants that the necessary treatment may be thoroughly carried out. Hope and confidence are the mean remedial agents, and in many chronic diseases at least, the individual who has faith will recover more speedily - caeteris paribus - than he who is shy of belief.

10. Simply to prescribe drugs, without regulating the diet and general management of the patient, is to omit a most important duty. In acute diseases, plain directions must be given as to the ventilation and warmth of the sick-room, the amount of light, the position of the bed (not to be placed in a corner), the degree of quiet to be maintained, the avoidance of excitement and whispering, the exclusion of visitors, and the administration of food. No cooking whatever should be permitted in the sick-room. In cases of long illness, when the patient can be moved without risk, it is often desirable to have two beds in the room, one to be occupied during the day, the other at night. Every precaution must be taken to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Soiled linen, dirty water, etc., must be immediately removed. In all instances the evacuations ought to be passed in a bed-pan, or night stool, containing some disinfectant material (carbolic acid, permanganate of potash, sulphate of iron, etc.).

11. While it is allowed that formulae may be often employed with great advantage, yet they should not be prescribed with servile exactness; for it should never be forgotten that all medicines of any power have to be adapted to the requirements of the special case under treatment.

Dr. Thomas Hawkes Tanner.