Benzinum nitricum
Nitrobenzene · Human-made/chemical
Benzinum Nitricum produces a state of extreme nervous system toxicity with convulsions, unconsciousness, and characteristic nystagmus. The patient presents with profound cyanosis, spastic paralysis, and slow sighing respiration approaching death. The secretions retain the characteristic odour of bitter almonds from the chemical compound.
Key symptoms
- Rolling of eyeballs in their vertical axis; nystagmus
- Cyanosis: blue lips, face, and finger-nails
- Pupils dilated and insensible to light
- Head drawn backward and to the left in spasms
- Respiration very slow, sighing, difficult
- Involuntary evacuations of bladder and bowels
- Paralysis of all limbs
- Secretions strongly smell of bitter almonds
"Essence of Morbane." "Artificial Oil of Bitter Almonds." C6 H5 NO2. (Prepared by heating Benzol with Nitric Acid; the oily fluid formed is washed and rectified; it is miscible with alcohol, and has an odour of bitter almonds.) Solution in alcohol.
Clinical
Amaurosis. Convulsions. Cyanosis. Diuresis. Epilepsy. Nystagmus. Respiration, slow. Strabismus. Tetanus. Trismus.
Characteristics
Nitro-benzene is a very poisonous substance, and our knowledge of its action is due to numerous cases of poisoning that have occurred. It produces faintness, sinking, convulsions, twitchings, stupor. It slows the respiration until death occurs. Rolling of the eyeballs in their vertical axis is a prominent feature, and the pupils are dilated. Blueness of lips, face, and finger-nails. Flapping of alæ nasi. Head drawn backward and to the left side in spasms. Involuntary evacuations. Paralysis of all limbs. Punctiform ecchymoses. The odour of bitter almonds is strong in the secretions.
Phatak's chapter on Benzinum nitricum is available in the app.
Read Phatak in the appClassical texts are in the public domain. Educational reference only — not medical advice.
