Three years ago I was reading for an examination,
and feeling "run down". I took 10 minims of strychnia
solution (B.P.) with the same quantity of dilute phosphoric acid
well diluted twice a day. On the second day of taking
it, towards the evening, I felt a tightness in the "facial
muscles " and a peculiar metallic taste in the mouth. There was
great uneasiness and restlessness, and I felt a desire to walk
about and do something rather than sit still and read.
I lay on the bed and the calf muscles began to stiffen and
jerk. My toes drew up under my feet, and as I moved or
turned my head flashes of light kept darting across my eyes..
I then knew something serious was developing, so I crawled
off the bed and scrambled to a case in my room and got out
(fortunately) the bromide of potassium and the chloral. I
had no confidence or courage to weigh them, so I guessed
the quantity-about 30 gr. 30 grains, about 2 grams bromide of potassium and 10 gr.
chloral-put them in a tumbler with some water, and drank
it off. My whole body was in a cold sweat, with anginous
attacks in the precordial region, and a feeling of "going
off." I did not call for medical aid, as I thought the symptoms
declining. I felt better, but my lower limbs were as cold as ice, and the calf muscles kept tense and
jerking. There was no opisthotonos, only a slight stiffness
at the back of the neck. Half an hour later, as I could
judge, I took the same quantity of bromide of potassium
and chloral, and a little time after I lost consciousness and
fell into a " profound sleep," awaking in the morning with
no unpleasant symptoms, no headache, &c., but a desire " to
be on the move " and a slight feeling of stiffness in the jaw.
These worked off during the day.〔Sandall, Leondard, (28 March 1896). "AN OVERDOSE OF STRYCHNINE." The Lancet, 147(3787):887〕