POISONING BY NITRO-BENZOLE * 
Dr. Clifton E. Wing, Boston. 
[Nitro-benzole (commonly known as essence or oil of Mirbane) is now largely em- 
ployed by soap manufacturers, perfumers and confectioners, and is used to some extent 
in household kitchens as a substitute for oil of bitter almonds. It has been introduced 
into medicine, and is stated to be, when diluted with glycerine and applied locally, an 
efficient remedy for scabies. 
It is formed by the action of nitric acid upon benzole (a product of the distillation of 
coaltar), and is an oily, yellowish, intensely sweet liquid, with an odor resembling— 
but not identical with—that of bitter almonds. Density, 1,209 ; boiling point, 415°; 
represented (old nomenclature) by the formula C12H5O4N. it is largely used in the 
manufacture of aniline colors, being transformed by simple chemical processes, by the 
removal of oxygen and the addition of hydrogen, into aniline, C12H7N. 
Aniline, treated in different ways with various oxidizing reagents, yields the dyes 
known as aniline colors. Their chemical composition has been investigated by Hoff- 
man. They are understood to result from the oxidation of a portion of the hydrogen 
of the aniline, the color of the new compounds varying with the character and relative 
proportion of the oxidizing agent employed.] 
M. P., set. 26, single, longshoreman, was at work in the hold of a 
vessel, May 20th, when, shortly after 7 o’clock, A. M., a package of 
nitro-benzole sent up in the sling fell and burst, its contents being 
scattered about the hold, and a considerable quantity falling over his 
frock and shirt. As he stated, it “ smelled fearful strong,” but “ didn’t 
choke at all.” Some of his fellow-workmen were obliged to leave the 
hold and go above for fresh air; but he, with some others, continued 
to work in the same place, although only one other remained as long 
as he. 
The patient did not feel at all sick until after returning from his house 
at noon ; but it was remarked that he looked “ pale and blue ” as early 
as 11 o’clock. He continued to work until nearly 3 o’clock, his com- 
panions several tim&s telling him that he was looking very badly, when, 
growing sicker and “ feeling heavy and dizzy in his head,” he went to 
a liquor store near at hand for a glass of brandy, which was vomited 
soon after being taken. lie then started out to find a doctor, but, 
growing worse, was finally helped home to his boarding place, having 
to sit down and rest several times on the way. Patient knew nothing 
more until he found himself at th'e hospital. 
The barkeeper of whom he obtained the drink of brandy stated of 
him that “ he had seen many dead men, but never one who looked as 
badly as he. He looked as though there was not a drop of blood in 
his body, and the color of his face was like that of one’s hands when 
held before a green dress.” ne also noticed “a peculiar smell about 
him,” and that he seemed very weak. 
Published in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, Jan. 18, 1872. 2 
Poisoning by Nitro-benzole. 
Soon after he arrived at his house, he was seen by Dr. McDonald, of 
this city, to whose kindness I am indebted for an account of his con- 
dition at that time. He found him “in a semi-comatose condition, 
roused with difficulty, answering questions incoherently, very livid 
all over, extremities cold, pulse slow and full, breathing difficult but 
not stertorous, and whole body bathed in perspiration.” The clothing 
about him and vomited matter emitted a strong smell of bitter almonds. 
On being “shaken up,” his pulse improved, and breathing became 
somewhat less laborious. He was ordered an emetic, to be followed 
by brandy and ammonia (though whether he received anything from 
his stupid and indifferent friends is doubtful), and directed to be taken 
to the City Hospital, where he was brought about 5 o’clock, P.M. 
The only history to be obtained from those bringing him was, that “ he 
had breathed fumes from a broken package early in the morning,” as 
above. 
When first seen, he was lying in the accident room of the hospital, 
with marked pallor of the face, and at the same time a noticeable and 
peculiar blueness of the prolabia and of the fingers and fingernails. 
His breath and clothing emitted a peculiar odor, which seemed familiar, 
and it occurred to me that it was the same with that constantly per- 
vading the clothes of a friend who was engaged in an aniline manufac- 
tory. A short hunt through the books enabled me to fix upon nitro- 
benzole as the probable poisonous agent, and this it afterwards proved 
to be. 
He had received half an ounce of brandy from the ward-master on 
his entrance. 
On loud questioning patient roused somewhat, appeared perfectly 
rational, and stated that lie “ had swallowed nothing, only breathed 
the fumes.” Pulse was 100, feeble, and respiration slow and very 
feeble. Pupils dilated, and not responding to light. Artificial respir- 
ation was attempted, without much result, and patient was ordered 
carb. ammonia and placed in a hot bath, at the same time receiving a 
cold douche upon the head. When taken out, he was vigorously 
rubbed with coarse towels from head to foot. . At the same time he 
vomited a portion of the brandy taken on entrance. Pulse now 120, 
of good strength. Respiration 28, quite strong, and countenance more 
natural. After a while his symptons grew worse. Bath was repeated, 
and afterwards the patient was wrapped in blankets and stimulated 
freely with brandy and carb. ammonia by enemeta, the stomach reject- 
ing stimulants taken by the mouth. 
At 7.30 P.M., pulse 112, and again very feeble. Resp. 18, and very 
irregular, a long, slow breath being followed by several shorter and 
quicker, and the patient could hardly be roused by repeated hard slaps 
with wetted towel on chest and face, muttering to be “ let alone,” 
and again relapsing into an unconscious state. 
8.20, P.M.—Pulse and respiration the same, but patient more easily 
roused. 
10.30, P.M.—Pulse 104, resp. 22, still irregular, but patient easily 
roused, perfectly rational, and able to relate the circumstance of his 
attack. Right pupil responding to light, but left immovably dilated. Poisoning by Nitro-benzole. 
3 
Next morning’.—Pulse 98, resp. 22. Pupils normal. Patient still 
pale and bluish, but states that he is “ all right.” Soon after, he left 
the hospital, returning in a few days to report himself. “ Still a little 
dizzy and not quite himself,” but expecting to go to work in a day or 
two. Bluish color about the mouth still noticeable. Since that time 
nothing has been heard from him, and doubtless his recovery was per- 
fect. 
The ward which he occupied was strongly scented for several days 
after he left with the peculiar odor of nitro-benzole. 
The man who worked by his side in the hold showed no symptoms 
of poisoning, although he worked in the same place and for the same 
length of time, and also had some of the liquid spilt upon his clothing. 
Three other men worked for about two hours in the hold, at the 
time ; upon two no effect was produced, except that of a local irritant 
where the liquid fell upon the skin ; the third man felt dizzy, and it 
was noticed that he was “ pale and blue.” 
In an essay “ On the Physiological Properties of Nitro-benzole and 
Aniline ” (London Hospital Reports, Yol. 2), Mr. Letheby writes as 
follows :— 
“ It is on record that Thrasyas, the father of botany, was so skilled 
in the preparation of drugs that he knew how to compound a poison 
which would remain for days in the living body without manifesting 
its action, and would at last kill by a lingering illness. ****** 
Modern toxicologists have long since discarded these notions, and have 
set them down to the vague fears and exaggerated fancies of the an- 
cients rather than to the sober contemplation of fact; but the account 
which I am about to give of the physiological properties of nitro-ben- 
zole will show that there is one substance at least, which realizes to a 
great degree, the extraordinary opinions of the ancients. The com- 
pound may be given to-day, and yet, if the dose be not too large, it 
shall not manifest its action until to-morrow or the day after, and then 
shall destroy life by a lingering illness, which shall not only defy the 
skill of the physician, but shall also baffle the researches of the medi- 
cal jurist. These facts are so remarkable that they would be hardly 
credited if they were not susceptible of the proof of demonstration. 
They are likewise the more interesting and important from the circum- 
stance-that nitro-benzole is now a common article of commerce and is 
accessible to everyone. 
According to our author, the narcotic effect of nitro-benzole and 
aniline are frequently noticed among workmen in establishments where 
they are manufactured ; but usually the symptoms are not serious, and 
are readily dispelled by fresh air or a mild stimulant. He records, 
however, several fatal cases by nitro-benzole, viz. -— 
A man, aet. 43, spilled a quantity of the liquid over the front of his 
clothes, and went about for several hours in an atmosphere saturated 
with the poison. In another case, a boy, get. 17, received a little of 
the liquid into his mouth while sucking at a syphon. 
The effects were nearly the same in both cases, notwithstanding that 
in one the poison'was inhaled and in the other it was swallowed. For 
some time there was no feeling of discomfort beyond that of drowsi- 4 
Poisoning by Nitro-benzole. 
ness ; gradually, however, the face became flushed, the expression 
stupid, and the gait unsteady. The sufferers had the appearance of 
persons who had been drinking. Little by little the stupor increased 
until it passed into profound coma, and in this condition they died. 
The progress of each case was much the same as that of slow intoxi- 
cation, excepting that the mind was perfectly clear until the coming 
on of the fatal coma, which was sudden, and in which “ the sufferer 
lay as in a.deep sleep, and died without a struggle.” The duration of 
each case was nearly the same ; about four hours elapsed from the time 
of taking or inhaling the poison to the setting in of the coma, and the 
coma itself lasted four or five hours. At the post mortem there was 
found congestion of the brain, and the blood was “ everywhere black 
and fluid. The liver was of a purple color. Analysis discovered the 
existence of nitro-benzole in the brain and stomach, and also of aniline.” 
In a third case, a clerk in a chemical manufactory, at about noon, 
applied a drop or two of nitro-benzole to his tongue to take away the 
odor of a pipe which he had been smoking, repeating the same an hour 
and a half afterwards, the latter time also swallowing a drop or two of 
the liquid. He felt prostrated after the first dose, and took an alco- 
holic stimulant, but an hour after the second dose was worse, and was 
seen by a physician, who found him excited, his face purplish and his 
lips and nails mauve Colored. Skin cold. Resp. short and quick, with 
feeling of suffocation. Heart’s action irregular. Pulse 130, weak and 
irregular. Complaining of oppression at chest and coufusion in head". 
At half past three, he was seized with convulsions (emprosthotonos), 
repeated in twenty minutes, both convulsions quickly passing off, cold 
water being dashed over him. Soon after, a third convulsion occurred, 
leaving patient in a state of coma, in which he remained for six hours, 
consciousness then gradually returning after an enema of turpentine. 
Pulse remained weak, irregular and frequent. Patient complained of 
great thirst, and drank much strong coffee. He remained sensible to 
the last, finally dying by exhaustion, fifteen hours after the last dose 
of the poison. 
On post mortem, there was found congestion of the brain and also of 
the spinal cord. The lips were still livid, but the mauve color of the 
nails had diminished since death. All cavities of the heart, coronary 
vein, venae cavae and pulmonary artery were fully distended with black, 
coagulated blood, and the lungs were much congested ; abdominal or- 
gans normal. 
In this case the patient was certain that he had not swallowed more 
than three or four drops of the poison, and from the fact that the tube 
in which he had the liquid was found nearly full, he could not have 
taken more than eight or nine drops. 
A servant boy, aet. 13, tasted some “ artificial essence of bitter 
almonds ” (nitro-benzole), which had been used to scent pomatum, 
but finding the taste unpleasant spat out, and “ did his best to prevent 
any from being swallowed.” The cook in the family also tasted, but 
did not swallow any. Soon after both ate dinner. 
In about an hour from the time of tasting the poison, the cook felt, 
unwell, suffered from palpitation of the heart (being a subject of heart Poisoning by Nitro-benzole. 
5 
disease), vomited—the vomited matter smelling strongly of nitro-ben- 
zole—became insensible, and fell from her chair. She remained quite 
insensible several hours. Her face was pulled and of a leaden hue, 
and lips swollen aud livid. Skin moderately warm. Pulse regular, 
but feeble. Patient recovered under alcoholic stimulant, “ but there 
was a remarkable discoloration of the skin of the face and chest for 
many hours after.” 
The boy was not affected for six hours after, in the meantime having 
taken his mistress out to drive. He then vomited—vomited matter 
smelling of nitro-benzole—became drowsy, stupid, and at 8 o’clock 
was quite insensible. Face livid, lips almost black, teeth firmly 
clenched, pulse intermittent and feeble. Brandy was given freely, and 
patient seemed to rally for a while, but soon after relapsed, and died 
in complete coma, ten hours and a half after taking the poison. No 
examination postmortem was made. 
These cases led Mr. Letheby to experiment upon animals, a brief 
resume of which experiments is here given :—• 
“From 30 to 60 drops were given by the mouth to dogs and cats. 
There was rarely vomiting or other sign of gastric irritation. Two 
classes of effects were noticed—either rapid coma, or a slow occur- 
ence of palsy and coma after a period of apparent inaction of tlie poi- 
son. Even in the rapidly comatose cases paralytic symptoms were no- 
ticed in the earlier stage. The time varied in these cases from twenty- 
five minutes to twelve hours between the exhibition of the poison and 
death. 
“ In the slower cases, there was no visible effect for hours and some- 
times for days. Suddeidy, however, the animal would be attacked 
with vomiting, followed by convulsions, which on their subsidence left 
more or less paralysis, first of the hinder and then of the fore limbs. 
After this, the animal generally lay for days more or less conscious, 
with now and then epileptic attacks, and at length died of exhaustion, 
or gradually recovered. 
“ The time from the exhibition of the poison to the first epileptic fit 
was from nineteen to seventy-two hours, in most cases about two days, 
and to the period of death was from four to nine days. This apparent 
inaction of the poison at first is very extraordinary, almost justifying 
a belief in cases of poisoning said to have occurred in ancient times.” 
Marked dilatation of the pupil was noticed in some of these cases. 
The post mortem appearances were much the same as in the fatal cases 
in man reported by the same observer, and there was the same purple 
tint of the liver as found in the first two cases he reports. In the rap- 
idly fatal cases, the odor of nitro-benzole was noticeable, and aniline 
was found in the organs. In some of the slower cases, the odor was 
gone, but in nearly all aniline was found in some parts of the body, 
though in a few instances no poison whatever was found. Mr. Letheby 
also made experiments upon animals with aniline, the effects of which 
were apparently identical with the rapid effects of nitro-benzole. Ani- 
line was readily discernible in the tissues post mortem. 
As a result of his experiments he draws the following conclusions :— 
1st. That nitro-benzole, and aniline in its free state, are powerful 
narcotic poisons. 6 
Poisoning by Nitro-benzole. 
2d. That they excite but little action as local irritants on the stom- 
ach and bowels. 
3d. That although the effects of them may be quick and the termi- 
nation of them rapid, yet nitro-benzole may remain in the system for a 
long time without manifesting its action. 
4th. That the salts of aniline are not nearly as poisonous as the free 
alkili. 
5th. That in rapid cases of fatal poisoning, both the poisons are 
readily discovered in the dead body. 
6th. That in slow cases the poison may be entirely changed or elimi- 
nated, and therefore not recognizable. 
7th. That both of the poisons appear to be changed in the body by 
the process of oxidation and reduction, nitro-benzole being changed 
into aniline, and aniline and its salts into mauve or magenta. 
Dr. Alfred S Taylor, under the heading “ Cases and Observations 
in Medical Jurisprudence ” (Gay's Hosp. Reports, 1864), refers to the 
experiments of Mr. Letheby upon animals, and also speaks of the odor 
of nitro-benzole being in one case plainly perceptible from the body of 
the animal fourteen days after death. lie also refers to a paper by Mr. 
Nicholson, published in The Lancet, Oct. 1, 1862, in which the writer 
states that he has known several instances in which the vapor of nitro- 
benzole, as evolved from “ almond glycerine soap," scented with it, has 
seriously affected females. A friend of his who used a cake of the soap 
in taking a warm bath, fainted from the effects of nitro-benzole set free, 
and was ill for some time afterwards. 
Mr. Taylor records the case of a woman who tasted nitro-benzole by 
mistake, but at once spat it from her mouth, though she continued to 
breathe the vapor of some spilled upon the floor. When seen, was pale 
and ghastly, “ lips and nails purple, as if stained by blackberries," 
but the patient’s mind was clear, and she described the nature of the 
accident, but afterwards lost her consciousness. Her teeth became 
set, the hands clenched and blue, the muscles rigid and convulsed. 
In about eleven hours there was reaction, and in seventeen the patient 
was much better, though she continued feeble for some weeks. 
A person in the same room with the above suffered from inhaling the 
vapor from the liquid spilled on the floor. 
Nitro-benzole, according to Mr. Taylor, is distinguished from all 
other liquids, except the essential oil of almonds, by its odor, and from 
the oil by the fact that strong sulphuric acid added to it produces no 
color, while with essential oil of almonds a rich crimson color, with a 
yellow border, is produced. He also states that, so far as cases have 
been observed in man in poisoning, either by the liquid or vapor, nar- 
cotic symptoms have appeared comparatively soon. Both Mr. Taylor 
and Mr. Letheby describe processes for detection of the poison post 
mortem. 
The effects of aniline as such upon the system have frequently been 
noticed. 
Mr. Letheby records the case of a boy who was brought to the Lon- 
don Hospital in 1861, having breathed fumes of aniline, and who was 
suddenly seized by dizziness and insensibility ; he was brought to the Poisoning by Nitro-benzole. 
7 
hospital in that condition, with cold surface, feeble pulse and laborious 
breathing. After a while he rallied, and “ it was then noticed that his 
face had a purple hue, and that the lips and lining membrane of the 
mouth, and the nails, had the same purple tint.” The color remained 
next day, “ patient looking like a patient in last stage of cholera,” 
otherwise his symptoms had disappeared. 
Another case is referred to in the Pharmaceutical Journal, vol. 4, p. 
42, where a man spilled some aniline upon his clothes and breathed the 
vapor for several hours. When seen, several hours afterwards, “his 
body was of a leaden, livid hue ; lips, gums, tongue and eyes, of 
corpse-like, bluish pallor, and breath gasping.” He recovered with 
vigorous stimulation, though the peculiar color was noticeable for 
some time. 
The same peculiar coloring of the features has been noticed at the 
London Hospital, in patients taking sulphate of aniline, given incases 
of cholera, the color fading some time after a dose, and reappearing 
with the next. Dr. Turnbull, of Liverpool, in a paper on Properties of 
Sulphate of Aniline, has also noted the remarkable effect it has on the 
color of the lips and skin. 
After reading the reported cases of poisoning by nitro-benzole, it 
seems strange that certain authorities should have asserted that it is 
not poisonous ; and in view of what is now known of its properties, 
such assertions must go for naught. Certain it is, however, that 
the action varies considerably with the patient, or is modified by 
unseen influences, as in the case of the man mentioned in this article, 
the companion of the patient who, although as near as could be learned 
under exactly the same conditions, had no symptoms whatever. • 
By an accident occurring in this city a few years ago, of which I 
was cognizant, two gentlemen were drenched with a mixture of aniline 
and nitro-benzole, and breathed the vapors fora considerable time after- 
wards, yet upon neither was any effect produced, except that one had 
a severe attack of conjunctivitis, the liquid having fallen in his eyes. 
The subject has attracted considerable attention abroad, but, as far 
as I know, as yet, very little in this country, and no reported cases 
occuring this side of the water have fallen under my observation, though 
very likely there have been such. It certainly is interesting as exem- 
plifying in a most striking manner the chemical changes constantly 
going on in the living organism, and is, moreover, important to the medi- 
cal practitioner, from the fact that the statement made in England 
several years ago, that “ nitro-benzole is now a common article of com- 
merce, and accessible to everyone,” is, to-day, true in America, Dr. JCw.vld, of Berlin, Inis found in poisoning animals vvitli nitro benzole, that temporary 
glycosuria results, and in the Berlin “ Klinische Wochenschrift,” of Jan. 4, 1875, reports two 
cases of attempted suicide occurring in the clinic of Prof. Frericho, which show that the same 
effect is produced on mankind in some cases at least. At the end of his article is a list of all the 
cases published up to that time, including our own, to which he calls attention as proving that 
the most serious symptoms may be present, and yet speedy and complete recovery follow—a fact 
of prognostic value. It is curious that in France, where nitro-benzole is in quite common use, 
no cases of poisoning are reported.